Belgium’s stars sent a defiant message to the White House and FIFA by performing the 'Trump dance' during their dominant 4-1 World Cup victory over the United States. The clinical performance in Seattle served as the ultimate response to the controversial reversal of Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension, a decision that dominated headlines and sparked fierce debate in the build-up to the match.
The USMNT had a chance to change perceptions on home soil, but a 4-1 loss to Belgium instead raised familiar questions about progress, pressure and missed opportunity.
Donald Trump confirmed that he asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review Folarin Balogun's red card, after the American was sent off during the USMNT's fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The one-game ban imposed by the contentious decision was soon suspended for a year, leaving Balogun able to play in the U.S.'s World Cup round of 16 fixture against Belgium.
The Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has launched a stinging attack on FIFA following the governing body's unprecedented decision to allow Folarin Balogun to escape a mandatory suspension. The USMNT striker was cleared to play in the World Cup round-of-16 clash against Belgium despite receiving a straight red card in his previous outing.
The World Cup was actually becoming somewhat enjoyable. After the almost complete removal of jeopardy from the group stage caused by the tournament's farcical format, the overdue start of knockout football has unsurprisingly provided us with some genuine excitement - so much so, in fact, that you've probably already forgotten how disgracefully Iran were treated by the United States. Or that referee Omar Artan - along with millions of other Africans - wasn't even allowed to attend.
UEFA has launched a scathing attack on FIFA following the governing body's shock decision to allow USMNT striker Folarin Balogun to escape an automatic suspension. The European governing body claimed the move "crossed a red line" and warned that the integrity of the World Cup is now at stake after the Monaco forward was cleared to face Belgium.
Thomas Tuchel has aimed a sarcastic jab at FIFA’s disciplinary process, joking that England captain Harry Kane should perhaps lobby US President Donald Trump to resolve the Three Lions' Jarell Quansah suspension headache. The comments come in the wake of a stunning decision that saw USMNT star Folarin Balogun cleared to play despite a straight red card earlier in the tournament.
Belgium manager Rudi Garcia said he was stunned to learn that United States men's national team striker Folarin Balogun will be available for Monday's World Cup clash. The Belgian federation has since said it will explore every possible avenue to challenge FIFA's decision, with both Garcia and the FA framing their opposition as a defense of football.
American soccer's top stars found out about Sunday's news the same way everyone else did, and now they're looking forward to benefitting from it in their Round of 16 match.
USMNT striker Folarin Balogun has had his one-game ban suspended, and is eligible to play in his country's Round of 16 game against Belgium Monday night. The Monaco forward was supposed to be ruled out of the fixture after picking up a straight red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, FIFA unilaterally stepped in and pushed his suspension back.
Replacing Folarin Balogun is not just about finding goals. It's about finding the right tactical fit for a USMNT attack built on runs, pressure, and chaos.
On a 250th Fourth of July, Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT have become America's team, turning a World Cup run into a celebration of American soccer.
Four nations made debuts at the 2026 World Cup, with Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan gracing the grandest stage in international football for the first time. It was the tournament with the most newcomers since 2006 and Cape Verde achieved the feat of ending a 16-year wait for a debutant to reach the knockout stages, before succumbing to Lionel Messi's Argentina in a classic.
Landon Donovan joins Ocho and Raheem on The Late Run to revisit a career built far from the spotlight. He reflects on leaving home for Bayer Leverkusen at 16, grinding to sell MLS tickets, his 2012 mental-health sabbatical, the Klinsmann World Cup snub, facing Messi and Ronaldo, Beckham’s impact on MLS, the pay-to-play problem threatening U.S. soccer and why a home World Cup could change everything.
Folarin Balogun fired the USMNT into the World Cup knockout stages with his third goal of the tournament before a red card cut his night short. The Monaco striker entered an exclusive group featuring Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldinho, while the United States now prepare to face Belgium without their top scorer.
USA
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