USA World Cup Red Card Unlocks $1M Domino's Giveaway

During the United States’ win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup Round of 32, Folarin Balogun was given a red card. While it meant the United States were down to 10 players and would also be without their star striker for the next game against Belgium.

But there was a little bit of good news for fans.

A promotional event by Domino’s Pizza called “Emergency Pizzas for Red Card” states that if any player on the United States national soccer team is given a red card during a game, a select number of people will be selected to receive a coupon for free or discounted pizza.

Specifically, the popular chain will give out approximately $1 million worth of pizza.

“We’re definitely not rooting for one,” the Domino’s promotion reads. “But if the U.S. is handed a red card, there’s nothing like a free pizza to help make it a little better.”

To be eligible, fans had to sign up by the June 10 deadline, and if they are selected, they would receive an email in their inbox for either a free medium pizza or a 20% off coupon.

Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute of Wednesday’s game after being shown a straight red card for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic. The video replay of the play showed Balogun stepped on Muharemovic’s back leg, but it did not appear to be intentional. Referee Raphael Claus didn’t even show a yellow card on the field, but after Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, he said Balogun had committed a “serious foul” which resulted in the red card.

“We had to dig deep for that one,” star player Christian Pulisic said after the game, per ESPN. “It didn’t go exactly to plan with the red card, but that just shows what a good team we are. We said in the hydration break, you know, this is what it takes to be a really strong team. And, we were able to do it.”

The United States’ next game will be on Monday, July 6.