US loses to Belgium in World Cup match marred by controversy

Team USA’s run in the World Cup came to an end on Monday as it failed to make the quarterfinals, while outrage over FIFA’s decision to allow striker Folarin Balogun to play continued to simmer.

Belgium pounced early with a goal about nine minutes into the match in Seattle. The US tied it later in the first half, but Belgium quickly grabbed the lead back for good to win 4-1 and will face Spain in the next round.

“We didn’t show our real quality like a team,” said US Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino in a press conference. “We never were with the flow of the game, even when we score.”

The US won its group with ease, generating excitement across the country that it could make the quarterfinals for the first time in more than 20 years. But in the end, Pochettino couldn’t get the team over the hump despite finance executives, including Ken Griffin, donating millions to US Soccer so it could hire the Argentine manager in 2024.

FIFA’s reversal of Balogun’s one-game ban hung over the match. The US team’s top goal scorer was supposed to be suspended against Belgium after receiving a red card in the team’s previous fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

US President Donald Trump got involved, saying he called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked him to reconsider the foul. FIFA said it had the authority to make the decision and denied an appeal by the Royal Belgian Football Association.

“Regardless of the sporting outcome of this match, the RBFA is deeply concerned by the course of events,” the Belgian body said, “and will continue to fight in the coming hours, days and months in defense of the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole.”

Seattle’s waterfront and downtown streets were packed with fans who were going to the game and flocking to watch parties. The crowd sported America’s flag colors and Revolutionary War-era costumes complete with white wigs.

Most US fans said they were unfazed by the red card controversy and were just excited to see the men’s team make it this far.

Zachary Paradise traveled from Houston to spend two nights in Seattle just to see the game. He said he started cheering and texting all his friends when he saw that Balogun’s suspension was lifted.

“I was happy because I want him to play, but I don’t know that it was 100% the right move,” Paradise said. “It’s a weird gray area.”

Folarin Balogun on July 6.

The reversal sparked outrage across the world. UEFA, the powerful European football governing body, called the reversal “incomprehensible and unjustifiable” and accused FIFA of crossing “a red line.”

Erik Geens, a 43-year-old engineer from Belgium, planned a trip last October to be in Seattle this week and snatched up tickets when he found out his team would still be in the tournament. He and his family were sporting Belgian jerseys in a sea of red, white and blue US fans near Seattle’s waterfront before the match.

He said he didn’t think Balogun’s foul merited a red card, but it was unfortunate the way the reversal played out. He said Trump’s involvement cast a “political influence shadow” over what was initially just a questionable call.

“Everything in sports is an interpretation,” Geens said. “Let’s just hope that the best team wins.”

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