Belgium's World Cup team felt a "sense of injustice" after FIFA's decision to suspend a one-match ban for United States striker Folarin Balogun shortly before their last-16 match, a move that midfielder Nicolas Raskin said "fired them up." Balogun had been facing a one-match suspension for a red card in the previous round.
FIFA's decision to suspend the ban for 12 months drew criticism from various soccer bodies and figures, including the managers of UEFA and England. U.S. President Donald Trump stated he had asked FIFA to review the ban, arguing it would have been a "big stain" on the tournament.
Despite Balogun being cleared to play and starting the match, Belgium secured a decisive 4-1 victory over the United States. Raskin noted that "a lot has happened off the pitch over the last two days" and that the squad was determined to "respond on the field."
Belgium captain Youri Tielemans echoed this sentiment, stating the team resolved to "respond on the pitch." Following Belgium's fourth goal, some players were observed dancing in a style reminiscent of the 'Trump dance,' which gained attention during the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign. The official Instagram account for the Belgium national team also posted a photo of striker Romelu Lukaku with the caption "overturn this," appearing to mock the situation.