U.S. men’s national team striker Folarin Balogun avoided a multi-game suspension for his red card in the team’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina but will sit out the World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium, a U.S. Soccer spokesperson confirmed. According to FOX Sports; Balogun. Who scored in the match, was sent off in the 64th minute after stepping on Bosnia and Herzegovina player Tarik Muharemović’s ankle.

Red Card and Knockout Match Implications

According to FIFA rules, a player who receives a red card is automatically dismissed for the rest of that match and must sit out the subsequent match. This means the U.S. will be without its leading goalscorer at the tournament, who has netted three goals in four games, for a major match on Monday against Belgium in Seattle, a U.S. Soccer spokesperson confirmed, according to FOX Sports. Balogun is the first player to score a goal and register a red card in a World Cup knockout match since France legend Zinedine Zidane’s infamous headbutt against Italy in the 2006 final.

Should the U.S. beat Belgium and reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002, then Balogun will be able to re-join the squad, according to FOX Sports. The USMNT will need him should it reach that stage as it will play the winner of the round of 16 game between Spain and Portugal — two of the tournament’s favorites to win it all. That quarterfinal game will be on Saturday, July 11 in Los Angeles.

Historical Struggles in Knockout Rounds

The U.S. has a mixed record in World Cup knockout rounds. According to WVNS, the U.S. has played in eight of the 12 World Cup elimination rounds but has only won one match — in 2002 when it reached the quarterfinals. The first World Cup in 1930 saw the U.S. reach the semifinals, but it lost 6-1 to Argentina. In 1934, the U.S. was eliminated in the first round with a 7-1 loss to Italy. In 1994, the U.S. advanced to the round of 16 but lost 1-0 to Brazil. In 2002, the U.S. reached the quarterfinals but lost to Germany.

This year’s World Cup, held in the U.S. for the first time since 1994, features an expanded 48-team format. As a result, the first knockout round includes 32 teams, meaning more early-stage elimination matches than in previous editions, according to WVNS. The U.S. is currently aiming to avoid a quick exit and build on its performance in the group stage.

Redesigned Kits and Fan Feedback

The U.S. team’s new World Cup kits aim to reflect American heritage and identity, according to the New York Post. The home “Stripes” kit features horizontal red-and-white bands with a subtle wave effect to mimic Old Glory fluttering in the breeze. The away “Stars” kit features a deep navy base with silver stars woven into the fabric, creating a sophisticated, understated look. The kits were the result of a three-year collaboration between Nike and U.S. players, following the widespread criticism of the 2022 World Cup kits, which were described as plain white home shirts and ice-blue away designs.

“Wrong athletes,” U.S. midfielder Tyler Adams joked when discussing Nike’s consultation process with athletes. Nike designers traveled across the country gathering feedback from U.S. supporters before sitting down with players like Adams, Weston McKennie, Matt Turner, and Ricardo Pepi. The goal was to create a kit that represented heritage, swagger, identity, and unmistakable American symbolism. The new kits are part of a broader effort to avoid the mistakes of the past and create a lasting identity for the U.S. team in this World Cup on home soil.