Team USA\u2019s run in the World Cup came to an end on Monday as it failed to make the quarterfinals, while outrage over FIFA\u2019s decision to allow striker Folarin Balogun to play continued to simmer.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t show our real quality like a team,\u201d said US Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino in a press conference. \u201cWe never were with the flow of the game, even when we score.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
FIFA\u2019s reversal of Balogun\u2019s one-game ban hung over the match. The US team\u2019s top goal scorer was supposed to be suspended against Belgium after receiving a red card in the team\u2019s previous fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u201cRegardless of the sporting outcome of this match, the RBFA is deeply concerned by the course of events,\u201d the Belgian body said, \u201cand 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seattle\u2019s waterfront and downtown streets were packed with fans who were going to the game and flocking to watch parties. The crowd sported America\u2019s flag colors and Revolutionary War-era costumes complete with white wigs.<\/p>\n
Most US fans said they were unfazed by the red card controversy and were just excited to see the men\u2019s team make it this far.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s suspension was lifted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was happy because I want him to play, but I don\u2019t know that it was 100% the right move,\u201d Paradise said. \u201cIt\u2019s a weird gray area.\u201d<\/p>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.moneyweb.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/460079236-555x366.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFolarin Balogun on July 6.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The reversal sparked outrage across the world. UEFA, the powerful European football governing body, called the reversal \u201cincomprehensible and unjustifiable\u201d and accused FIFA of crossing \u201ca red line.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s waterfront before the match.<\/p>\n
He said he didn\u2019t think Balogun\u2019s foul merited a red card, but it was unfortunate the way the reversal played out. He said Trump\u2019s involvement cast a \u201cpolitical influence shadow\u201d over what was initially just a questionable call.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything in sports is an interpretation,\u201d Geens said. \u201cLet\u2019s just hope that the best team wins.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a9 2026 Bloomberg<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
#loses #Belgium #World #Cup #match #marred #controversy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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