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US falls to Belgium in World Cup, Balogun's red card controversy

Published July 8, 2026 at 6:52 PM UTC

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The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) faced a challenging World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium on July 6, 2026, in Seattle. Despite a spirited performance, the U.S. was defeated 4-1, ending their World Cup journey. The match was marked by a significant controversy involving U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, who had been previously suspended for a red card received during the U.S.'s 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina. FIFA lifted the suspension, allowing Balogun to play in the match against Belgium. This decision was met with surprise by Belgian officials, who expressed concerns over the fairness of the ruling. Adding to the tension, President Trump publicly thanked FIFA for its decision, prompting accusations of political interference. During the match, Balogun had a notable opportunity to score but was denied by Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Off the field, FIFA suspended two U.S. staff members—team manager Sam Zapatka and U.S. Soccer Federation vice president of security Frank Pannell—for the match against Belgium. The reasons for these suspensions were not specified by FIFA, and the U.S. Soccer Federation stated that they were unrelated to the efforts to have Balogun's suspension lifted. The U.S. team's exit from the tournament was a disappointment to many fans, but the team's resilience throughout the competition was commendable. Belgium now advances to face Spain in the World Cup quarterfinals.