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.Published On 26 Sep 202626 Sep 2026United 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.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Timeline: Man City’s Premier League financial charges to reported verdictlist 2 of 4Israel’s Abu Farchi sent off for gun celebration in Nations League matchlist 3 of 4Premier League and La Liga lead FIFA reform calls after ‘exploitative’ planlist 4 of 4‘Stop the game’: Understanding the controversy behind Ireland vs Israelend of listThe 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.“Perhaps I regret not having been more involved when t...