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The controversial red card given to Folarin Balogun at the FIFA World Cup has been a topic of discussion that has gone beyond the realm of soccer, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio being the latest high-profile figure to question the decision.
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Balogun was sent off after being deemed to have stepped on an opponent in the United States’ Round of 32 win. The dismissal has since sparked debate among fans, pundits, and former players, many of whom feel the incident was not deserving of a straight red card.
Now, Rubio has publicly supported the USMNT attacker, arguing that the decision should have been reconsidered.
Marco Rubio Says USMNT “Got Screwed”
Speaking during a media appearance, Rubio was asked for his thoughts on the U.S. men’s national team following its World Cup performance. His reply immediately garnered the attention of soccer fans.
The reporter asked, “What about your thoughts on the U.S. soccer team?”
Secretary Rubio answered, “It was great. They got screwed with that red card. There needs to be an appeal process for that. It’s probably too late for that.”
Rubio’s remarks came after the frustration of many American fans following Balogun’s departure, as Pochettino’s team had to play with ten men for the remainder of the game.
Patrick Mahomes and Caleb Williams Also Slammed the Decision
Rubio wasn’t the only high-profile American to question the officiating.
NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Caleb Williams also criticized Folarin Balogun’s red card on social media, with Mahomes posting, “Man what……” while Williams called the dismissal “insane.”
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Their reactions reflected the widespread belief that the challenge did not deserve a straight red card.
Why Folarin Balogun Red Card Cannot Be Appealed
Despite growing calls for the suspension to be overturned, FIFA regulations leave the United States with little room to challenge the decision.
The disciplinary rules of the tournament state that a straight red card issued by a referee based on his judgment cannot normally be appealed unless there is a clear case of mistaken identity or an administrative error. Since Balogun was correctly identified and the referee’s decision was based on an on-field interpretation, the suspension stands.
Mauricio Pochettino has also condemned the move, claiming it was an accident and that Balogun did not mean to step on the other player.
The USMNT will now have to wait until the next World Cup match to see if they can replace one of their top attacking weapons, and there is still some discussion about the officiating.
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This story was originally published July 3, 2026 at 7:30 AM.