Following the United States' 4-1 defeat to Belgium and subsequent World Cup exit on Monday, a segment of US soccer fans has directed blame toward President Trump. The controversy stems from Trump's reported call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review a one-game ban issued to US striker Folarin Balogun.
Balogun had received a red card in a previous match, which resulted in an automatic suspension for the crucial game against Belgium. Trump, learning of the ban, contacted Infantino to request a review, arguing that it was unfair to penalize a player for a game they had not yet played. FIFA subsequently suspended Balogun's ban, a decision that ultimately did not alter the game's outcome.
Fans expressed frustration on social media, with some suggesting that Trump's involvement turned what could have been a positive moment for US soccer into a "national humiliation." Concerns were raised that Trump's intervention shifted the focus from the team's performance to political interference, potentially tarnishing the team's "amazing run."
Some supporters argued that "playing dirty" does not lead to victory, citing the loss despite the overturned red card. Others lamented that the World Cup's potential to unite people and improve the US's international reputation was overshadowed by what they perceived as Trump's "political interference," leading to a perception of the US "cheating."
Beyond direct involvement in the Balogun saga, some fans also pointed to a perceived pattern of negative outcomes associated with Trump's presence at sporting events. They drew parallels to other instances where teams experienced losses after his attendance or involvement.
Adding to the online criticism, the Belgian team appeared to mock Trump during their on-field celebrations following their decisive fourth goal. The Belgian team's official X account posted "Overturn this" with a photo of a player celebrating, a perceived jab at FIFA's decision regarding Balogun's ban. Furthermore, Belgian players were observed performing moves reminiscent of Trump's signature dance from his 2024 election campaign.
Trump has stated that he did not initially understand the implications of a red card but was informed it would cause a key player to miss an important match. He maintained that his intervention was an appeal for fairness after learning of Balogun's suspension, asserting, "I'm good at this stuff – that wasn't a foul."
The US national team concluded their World Cup campaign after the loss to Belgium in Seattle. The team was later seen huddling on the field with coach Mauricio Pochettino.