Belgium defeated tournament co-hosts the United States 4-1 in their World Cup 2026 last-16 match on Monday, following days of controversy over FIFA’s decision to suspend a red-card ban for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. The result followed public intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump, who requested a review of the disciplinary ruling.
The Balogun Ban Controversy and FIFA’s Ruling
The tension surrounding the match originated from a disciplinary decision involving Folarin Balogun. The 25-year-old American striker was initially set to miss the knockout tie after receiving a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in the previous round. However, according to BBC Sport, FIFA suspended the automatic one-match ban for 12 months just before the match, a move that drew immediate criticism from UEFA and England manager Thomas Tuchel.
The match, held in Seattle, saw the U.S. squad aiming to capitalize on home-field advantage as co-hosts.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that he had spoken with FIFA president Gianni Infantino regarding the matter. Trump stated he requested a review of the ban because he did not believe the incident constituted a foul. I think it would have left a big stain, Trump said. He maintained that he did not order the suspension but believed the commission’s decision to clear Balogun was the “right decision.”
Belgium’s Response: A Sense of Injustice
The Belgian squad characterized the FIFA ruling as an unfair advantage for the co-hosts, fueling their motivation heading into the Seattle match. Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin noted that the team felt a sense of injustice within the squad regarding the suspension of Balogun’s ban.
A lot has happened off the pitch over the last two days. There was a sense of injustice within the squad, and we were determined to respond on the field. Nicolas Raskin, Belgium and Rangers midfielder
Belgium captain Youri Tielemans echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the team viewed the off-field narrative as a catalyst for their performance. “We told ourselves we had to respond on the pitch. That’s what we did,” Tielemans said.
On-Pitch Celebration and Post-Match Taunts
Following their 4-1 victory, the Belgian players directed pointed gestures toward the U.S. team. After scoring their fourth goal, several players performed a dance resembling the “Trump dance”—a move involving hip rocking and arm pumping that gained prominence during the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign.
The official Instagram account for the Belgium national team further leaned into the controversy, posting an image of striker Romelu Lukaku cupping his ear with the caption “overturn this.” Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia, however, sought to de-escalate the personal nature of the conflict after the match. Garcia confirmed that Balogun approached him post-game, stating, I really liked that. It’s not his fault, he’s not the one to blame and that’s what I told him.
Global Reaction and Wider Political Context
The incident drew reactions beyond the two teams involved. The Iranian national team’s official website posted a screenshot of their earlier draw with Belgium alongside the U.S. defeat. The post included the message, “Now the whole world is dancing for the humiliating defeat of politics against football.” This reaction occurred against the backdrop of previous diplomatic friction between the U.S. and Iran, which had affected Iran’s World Cup participation due to visa and travel issues because of the US’s war in Iran.
The Belgian victory effectively ended the co-hosts’ campaign, leaving the tournament to continue without the player whose eligibility had become a focal point of international debate.
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