Overview
- The United States beat Bosnia 2-0 on Wednesday but will face Belgium without Folarin Balogun after he scored and then received a VAR-reviewed red card that triggers an automatic one-match suspension.
- FIFA’s 2026 regulations state referee decisions on facts connected to play are final and not subject to appeal, meaning Balogun’s red card cannot be overturned by US Soccer and could only be extended by the Disciplinary Committee.
- Belgium advanced 3-2 after extra time when a VAR-triggered penalty was converted by Youri Tielemans in the 125th minute, a decision that intensified scrutiny of video reviews after the goal became the latest recorded in World Cup history.
- England escaped a shock when captain Harry Kane scored two late goals to beat DR Congo 2-1, and Mexico used home advantage to beat Ecuador 2-0 at the Azteca, ending a 40-year World Cup knockout win drought and setting up an England–Mexico last-16 tie.
- The Netherlands’ penalty shootout exit to Morocco prompted the KNVB to report racist online abuse of players and coincided with Ronald Koeman’s decision to step down, underlining growing off-field consequences from high-profile eliminations.