Folarin Balogun Says USMNT Teammates Felt 'Nerves' Around His Controversial World Cup Red Card

U.S. Men's National Team striker Folarin Balogun says his teammates felt "a bit of nerves" about FIFA's decision to reverse his one-match ban ahead of a Round of 16 match against Belgium at the 2026 World Cup.

Balogun automatically received the ban after being shown a red card in Team USA's Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. FIFA ultimately suspended the ban.

"My initial reaction was, I was happy to be on the team," Balogun said around the 2:15 mark of a Tuesday appearance on CBS Mornings. "But when I started to reflect, I knew it was going to cause a lot of controversy. I could almost see within my teammates a bit of nerves, because it was something that's so unique.

"The closer we got to the game, I tried to just focus as best as I could, but it was difficult. A lot of outside noise, and that's hard to avoid."

Balogun led the United States with three goals in four World Cup games prior to his suspension.

He was ultimately held off the scoresheet as the United States suffered a 4-1 elimination loss to Belgium.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino and midfielder Tyler Adams said after the elimination loss the controversy over Balogun's suspension and return hadn't impacted their team, per ESPN's Sam Borden.

"I don't think that noise or anything affected us by any means. If anything, it probably uplifted us in a sense," Adams said after the loss to Belgium, per Borden.

The USMNT has not made it past the Round of 16 at the World Cup since 2002. This year it will be France or Spain taking on Argentina or England in the World Cup final this Sunday in New Jersey.