Belgium celebrates win over United States after FIFA overturns player suspension
Belgium defeated the United States 4-1 in a World Cup round-of-16 match, scoring the decisive goal in extra time, after FIFA lifted a one-game ban on U.S. striker Folarin Balogun following intervention by President Trump.
Belgium advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals with a 4-1 victory over the United States in Seattle on Monday, scoring the winning goal in extra time. The match followed FIFA's decision to rescind a one-match suspension for U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, a move that was reportedly influenced by a request from President Donald Trump.
After the win, Belgium's official Twitter account posted a message calling for the suspension to be overturned, confirming the team's awareness of the political involvement. Players later mimicked Trump's signature dance in a video shared by the New York Post.
U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino said the reversal of Balogun's suspension did not affect his team's performance, and midfielder Tyler Adams added that any noise surrounding the issue did not hinder the United States and may have even motivated them.
The incident highlighted the rare intersection of political influence and sports governance, with FIFA invoking a provision of its Disciplinary Code to lift the ban.