can you appeal a red card in the world cup

Yes—usually you cannot appeal the referee’s red-card decision itself at the World Cup, because it is treated as final on-field judgment. In practice, the player is suspended for the next match, and FIFA only reviews whether any additional punishment should be added.

What that means

• A straight red card normally brings an automatic one-match suspension.

• Teams generally cannot get the card overturned just because they disagree with the call.

• FIFA’s disciplinary process may look at the incident afterward, but that is about extra sanctions, not a routine appeal to erase the red.

In this World Cup case

Recent reporting on Folarin Balogun says the USMNT cannot appeal his red card, and he is set to miss the next match. The Athletic also reported that a FIFA official said there is no avenue to appeal the red card or the suspension.

Bottom line

So the short answer is: no, not in the usual sense. The card stands, the suspension stands, and the only possible post-match review is about whether FIFA adds more punishment.

TL;DR: World Cup red cards are generally not appealable as a way to remove the suspension; at most, FIFA may review the case for extra discipline.