The United States' Round of 16 clash against Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was expected to be a blockbuster knockout match.
Instead, it became one of the tournament's most politically charged controversies before a ball had even been kicked.
The firestorm began after American striker Folarin Balogun received a straight red card during the United States' victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, triggering what should have been an automatic one-match suspension under FIFA regulations.