As reported by The Mirror, the United States Men’s National Team’s FIFA World Cup journey ended abruptly on Monday, falling 4-1 to Belgium in the Round of 16. The defeat in Seattle came just days after an unprecedented intervention by US President Donald Trump, who successfully lobbied FIFA to overturn a red card for star striker Folarin Balogun, clearing him to play in the crucial knockout match.
The US, co-hosting the tournament on home soil alongside Canada and Mexico, had hoped for a deeper run, especially with their leading goal-scorer available. Balogun had been sent off in the Round-of-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which would have resulted in an automatic one-match suspension for the Belgium encounter.
Presidential intervention clears Balogun
In a highly unusual move for a head of state, President Trump personally called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to urge a review of the disciplinary decision. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House’s World Cup task force, also spoke with Infantino by phone regarding the matter. On Sunday, FIFA announced that Balogun’s automatic one-match suspension had been postponed, making him eligible for the Round of 16.
President Trump celebrated the decision on Truth Social, stating: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice.” Balogun subsequently started against Belgium, but his presence wasn’t enough to prevent the USMNT’s elimination.
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Trump silent on World Cup exit, focuses on military strength
Following the 4-1 loss, President Trump broke his silence, but notably did not comment on the World Cup result or the team’s performance. Instead, as highlighted by The Mirror, his posts on Truth Social focused entirely on the strength of the US military.
“The United States Military has never been stronger, or more powerful. No other Nation can do what we do (It’s not even close!)” Trump posted. He continued: “This year we set even more Historic Recruiting Records, months ahead of schedule. Morale has never been higher.”
Trump also praised the military’s role during the 250 Years of American Independence celebration and urged Congress to pass Reconciliation 3.0 with $350 billion allocated for defense, alongside the proposed SAVE AMERICA ACT, while making no mention of the USMNT’s World Cup exit.
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