The United States’ journey in the World Cup ended in the Round of 16 with a decisive 4-1 loss to Belgium, a defeat made all the more bitter by a pre-match political intervention from Donald Trump that subsequently became fodder for Belgian mockery.

The controversy stemmed from an earlier red card issued to AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun. Following the incident, President Trump reportedly contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino, requesting a review of the decision. FIFA, in an unusual move, invoked Article 27 to suspend Balogun’s one-game ban for a year, allowing him to start against Belgium.

A controversial reprieve for Balogun

The decision to overturn Balogun’s suspension ignited debate, with critics questioning the precedent of political figures influencing sporting disciplinary actions. Despite the reprieve, Balogun and the USA team ultimately fell short at Seattle Stadium on Tuesday (July 7th).

Belgium capitalized on the situation, not only securing a dominant victory but also engaging in pointed celebrations. During and after the match, Belgian players were seen performing President Trump’s trademark dance. The Belgian national team’s X account further twisted the knife, posting a succinct, mocking message:

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“Overturn that.”

Political fallout ahead of NATO summit

The defeat and the subsequent taunting have added an unexpected political dimension, particularly as Trump is set to attend a NATO summit where he will encounter Belgium’s prime minister, Bart De Wever. De Wever, who will also present the World Cup to the eventual winners, acknowledged the delicate situation.

Speaking to Flemish broadcaster VRT, De Wever commented, “Everyone’s talking about one thing, and that is congratulations for the well-deserved victory of the Red Devils. Of course, the losing party is also present. That also happens to be the biggest partner in NATO. I’m not going to start [talking] about it myself.” He added that he would react if Trump were to raise the issue.

Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House’s World Cup Task Force, addressed the fallout, telling The Daily Mail that President Trump was “disappointed” but proud of the team. Giuliani also attempted to downplay the Belgian mockery, stating, “I won’t comment on the Iranians [but] in terms of the [Belgium] dance, I think President Trump does it better. I think he’s a better dancer.” An Iranian spokesperson, however, offered a different perspective, remarking, “The whole world is dancing to celebrate politics’ humiliating defeat by football.”

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The USA had topped their group after a strong start to their campaign, with a 4-1 win over Paraguay and a 2-0 victory against Australia, despite a 3-2 loss to Turkey. Their failure to reach the quarter-finals marks the first time since 2002 they have exited the tournament at this stage, with the political backdrop ensuring this defeat will be remembered for more than just the scoreline.

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