FIFA World Cup 2026: Algeria have written to FIFA over refereeing decisions in their 3-0 defeat to Argentina, including a challenge by Lionel Messi on Aissa Mandi. The complaint has widened the debate over VAR and disciplinary consistency at the tournament.

Lionel Messi got a friendly whistle. Folarin Balogun did not and paid a massive price. The USMNT star forward received a red card Wednesday, which has been described as “insane” and “Why FIFA sucks” by fans — and those same people won’t want to see that Messi didn’t even get a card for an extremely similar play earlier in the tournament.

The Americans are seeing red over the most controversial and consequential red card so far in the World Cup. While the United States celebrated a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, fans and players were angry and frustrated by a second-half red card that sent off star striker Falorin Balogun.

Folarin Balogun was shown a red card in the 64th minute of their Round of 32 fixture at the World Cup, and former USMNT stars are not happy.

Video review doesn’t always improve sports. Former US Men’s National Team forward Herculez Gomez — and many others — called out the “inconsistent” Video Assistant Referee (VAR) that resulted in a controversial red card for USA star Folarin Balogun that knocked him out of Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup.