Belgium’s national soccer team turned a dominant World Cup victory into a pointed message aimed at President Donald Trump after eliminating the United States with a 4-1 win in Seattle.
The Belgian players’ celebration came after days of controversy surrounding U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, whose one-match ban was suspended by FIFA shortly before the match. Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the decision, arguing that the American forward should be allowed to play.
The move drew criticism from Belgium and others in the soccer world, who questioned whether political influence had affected the integrity of the competition.
After Romelu Lukaku scored Belgium’s fourth goal in stoppage time, several Belgian players appeared to mimic Trump’s well-known 2024 presidential campaign rally dance, a gesture widely interpreted as a taunt toward the president. The team was also filmed in the locker room after the game, dancing to YMCA.
The Belgian soccer federation’s official social media account followed up with a post featuring Lukaku’s celebration and the caption, “overturn this,” a direct reference to FIFA’s decision to reverse Balogun’s suspension.
BELGIUM BOOTS US FROM WORLD CUP DESPITE TRUMP’S LAST-MINUTE INTERFERENCE
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia attempted to separate the controversy from the players themselves, saying Balogun was not responsible for the dispute. “He came to talk to me. I really liked that,” Garcia said in a translation. “It is not his fault; he is not the one to blame. That’s what I told him. I really appreciate the intention that he came to see me. I appreciate this player.”
The American striker was cleared to play after FIFA suspended the punishment, but Belgium ultimately delivered the final response on the field, ending the U.S.’s tournament run with a convincing victory.
