Folarin Balogun of the United States talks to the media during a World Cup 2026 training session at Great Park Sports Complex on June 22, 2026 in Irvine, California. Jamie Squire/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by JAMIE SQUIRE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday his country’s World Cup team had been “screwed” and called for an appeal after star striker Folarin Balogun was sent off against Bosnia.
Washington’s top diplomat tackled the sporting controversy a day after Balogun was given a red card in the 2-0 US win. Balogun is now set to miss his side’s last-16 showdown with Belgium.
“It was great. They got screwed with that red card,” Rubio told reporters during a brief appearance in the White House briefing room when asked how the co-hosts were doing in the tournament.
“There needs to be an appeal process for that. It’s probably too late for that, right?” added Rubio, who was leading a group of people on a tour.
