Pochettino regrets limited role in Balogun red card decision at World Cup
Mauricio Pochettino says controversial Folarin Balogun appeal 'changed the energy' around US team at World Cup 2026.
United States coach Mauricio Pochettino said he regretted not being more involved in the decision to appeal Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red card, adding that the controversy changed the energy around his team before their last-16 loss to Belgium.
Balogun was sent off in the US’s round-of-32 win over Bosnia but FIFA’s disciplinary committee later suspended his one-match ban for a year, allowing the forward to play against Belgium.
The decision triggered controversy after US President Donald Trump said he had intervened on behalf of the World Cup cohosts by urging FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to review the case.
The 54-year-old Argentinian coach added that he did not believe a different tactical approach, strategy or team selection would have changed the performance against Belgium.