Belgium revelled in trolling the United States and President Donald Trump after eliminating the World Cup co-hosts 4-1 in the last 16. The build-up to Tuesday's (AEST) game had been dominated by confirmation that Trump had called FIFA president Gianni Infantino asking for US striker Folarin Balogun's red card suspension to be overturned. FIFA complied, allowing Balogun to play, which shocked the football community, though Infantino said the decision had nothing to do with Trump's call.
Controversial Overturned Ban
The reversal of Balogun's ban became the story of the tournament, drawing condemnation from European football body UEFA, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), and others. Critics argued that FIFA had undermined confidence in its own disciplinary system. Balogun, the US's top scorer with three goals, had been sent off in the last-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina for a studs-up tackle, though replays suggested it was accidental. The RBFA said it was "astonished" by the decision and claimed FIFA broke its own rules. Belgium's appeal to block Balogun from playing failed, and the RBFA stated it was "deeply concerned by the course of events and will continue to fight ... in defence of the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole."
Belgium's On-Field and Off-Field Taunts
After the game, cameras inside the Belgium dressing room captured players doing the same dance Trump went viral for during the 2024 US presidential election, to the tune of Village People's 1978 classic, Y.M.C.A. Belgium acknowledged they had used the affair as fuel for their victory, which set up a quarter-final with Spain. "A lot has happened off the pitch over the last two days," influential Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin said. "There was a sense of injustice within the squad and we were determined to respond on the field." The players also performed the Trump dance on the field after scoring their fourth goal. The Belgium social media team joined in, posting a photo of scorer Romelu Lukaku with the caption "Overturn this." Captain Youri Tielemans added: "We told ourselves we had to respond on the pitch. That's what we did."
US Coach Expresses Disappointment
US coach Mauricio Pochettino admitted his disappointment at the "politics and manipulation" that overshadowed his team's exit following Trump's intervention, and referenced internet trolling. "It didn't affect our performance. It's not an excuse. It wasn't our day," Pochettino said. "But in a personal way, what is the point to insult or receive a lot of bad messages? It's a rule for the federation to apply and to try (to overturn the ban). My position was to train the team. If Balogun is available because FIFA allow for you to have the player, it's not a problem. I feel disappointed with too many people. They put politics and manipulation, talk about ethics and integrity [first]. If we talk about the history of this game, I am disappointed in a personal way." Defending the decision, Infantino said FIFA's judicial bodies had operated "independently and autonomously" and that he had told Trump the Balogun case was subject to an ongoing legal process.
