Sead Kolašinac comforts Folarin Balogun after red card in Bosnia‑USA World Cup match

Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Sead Kolašinac showed sportsmanship in the round‑of‑16 World Cup game against the United States by consoling American forward Folarin Balogun after the striker received a direct red card in the 64th minute. Kolašinac approached Balogun, said “Okay… let’s go to a café later, okay?” and gave him a friendly pat on the head before returning to the field. FIFA later rescinded the dismissal, allowing Balogun to play in the subsequent match against Belgium, which the United States lost 4‑1.

The incident also sparked a media controversy when American journalist Ana Kasparian, on a live broadcast of The Young Turks, referred to Bosnia and Herzegovina as “two small states.” The comment went viral across the Balkans, prompting criticism of her geographic knowledge and professionalism.