USMNT Breakthrough, Belgium VAR Heat, Balogun Ban
Friday, July 3, 2026 · 8 min
USMNT 2026 gets a breakthrough knockout win as all three host nations reach the last 16, while Belgium’s VAR penalty and Balogun’s suspension sharpen the next round’s stakes and Messi leads the Golden Boot chase.
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Show notes
USMNT 2026 gets a breakthrough knockout win as all three host nations reach the last 16, while Belgium’s VAR penalty and Balogun’s suspension sharpen the next round’s stakes and Messi leads the Golden Boot chase.
In this episode
- World Cup games July 1, scores, highlights and USMNT reaction — USA TODAY
[Sports newsletter](https://profile.usatoday.com/newsletters/Sports) [Readers' Choice 🐐](/sports/readers-choice-awards/) [World Cup mania ⚽️ 🏆](/sports/soccer/world-cup/) [Best online casinos 🎰 🎲](https://ftw.usatoday.com/story/casinos/online-casinos-real-money-casino-sites/87792334007/) [WORLD CUP](/sports/soccer/world-cup/) Men's World Cup # World Cup updates, highlights July 1: USA gets…
- World Cup VAR review: Did Belgium deserve penalty that won match vs. Senegal? — ESPN
## [ESPN](/)  # Soccer # World Cup VAR review: Did Belgium deserve penalty vs. Senegal? ![]() The video assistant referee causes controversy every…
- Step Back — After a controversial red card like Balogun’s, what actually happens next — is a one-game ban automatic in the World Cup, and does a team have any realistic way to challenge it before the next knockout match?
Background sources
- USMNT cannot appeal Balogun red card, could face extended World Cup ban - ESPN — Mark Ogden
- USMNT cannot appeal Balogun red card, could face extended World Cup ban - ESPN — Mark Ogden
- What to know about US soccer star Folarin Balogun's 1-game red card suspension, why team can't appeal - ABC News — ABC News
- 2026 World Cup red card rules explained: How it works, suspension unavoidable for USA's Folarin Balogun - NBC Sports — Nbcsports
- Why can’t the US appeal against Balogun’s red card? | The Independent — The Independent
- 2026 World Cup Golden Boot tracker: Will Messi, Mbappe ... - ESPN — ESPN
## [ESPN](/)  # 2026 World Cup Golden Boot tracker: Will Messi, Mbappe, or other score most goals?  We're into the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World…