Trump welcomed FIFA’s ruling at the Oval Office on Monday, and acknowledged speaking with Gianni Infantino before the suspended ban was confirmed. Belgium reacted with fury and demanded clarification while also threatening action, but delivered their response on the pitch with both goals and celebrations, as Trump was captured on camera boarding an aircraft and departing the country while the humiliation played out.
Belgium forward Charles De Ketelaere netted twice in the first half, either side of Malik Tillman’s free-kick strike for the USA. Hans Vanaken then slotted into an empty net to extend Belgium’s advantage to 3-1 in the second half, before Romelu Lukaku added a late fourth and celebrated in Trump’s style.
It added insult to injury, as Trump and the entire Balogun controversy appeared to overshadow the occasion before kick-off. Belgium had prepared for the round of 16 encounter expecting Balogun to be ruled out, until a late reversal by FIFA.
The decision which resulted in Balogun being shown a straight red card in the Round of 32 proved divisive, while FIFA’s agreement to overturn his suspension also sparked controversy. Infantino’s ties with Trump represented one cause for concern, with questions raised over integrity.
While Infantino released a statement addressing the matter, Belgium sought to contest Balogun’s eligibility. FIFA deemed the challenge as “inadmissible,” yet Belgium demanded clarification.
Belgium subsequently warned of potential action should Balogun feature in Monday’s fixture, and the USA striker was included in the starting line-up. “This leaves all further actions open,” the Royal Belgian Football Association stated.
“To date, the RBFA has still not received any grounds for this decision, nor has it received the information it has been requesting since the start of this procedure.”
Beyond the celebration at full-time, the official Belgium football account delivered another sharp message directed at FIFA and the USMNT. “Overturn this,” the account posted, accompanied by an image of the 4-2 final score.
Belgium will now meet Spain in the World Cup quarter-finals, with the victors progressing to face either France or Morocco. The USA have exited at the round of 16 stage, mirroring their 2022 campaign when they suffered a 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands.
USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino had been eager to guide the host nation on a lengthy run at the tournament, with reaching the semi-finals serving as an unofficial target. Pochettino’s contract expires this summer and he is yet to determine what lies ahead for him.
“In the next weeks, we can start to talk if the federation wants to talk,” he told reporters. “Right now, it’s about resting a little bit, to think, have conversations with the federation to see what the decision is. I’m so happy. We’ve built a very good relationship, now is not a moment to talk about (my future).”