Belgium ensured the final chapter of one of the World Cup’s biggest controversies was written on the pitch, thrashing co-hosts USA 4-1 in the round of 16 before lashing out at their rivals on social media.
Belgian national team officials, moments after the victory in Seattle X The account posted a blunt message: “Reverse this.” It was an apparent reference to FIFA’s decision 24 hours before kickoff to suspend Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match ban following his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Turn this upside down. 🧏♂️ #USABEL pic.twitter.com/KcBAJp3Z7d
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) 7 July 2026
The decision has sparked criticism across football. UEFA described it as “incomprehensible and unfair”, while the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) vowed to “defend football” after FIFA rejected the appeal.
The row dominated the build-up to the knockout rounds. Balogan was sent off in the USA’s final group-stage match, triggering an automatic suspension. Belgium prepared for a week, believing the striker would miss the game, before FIFA reopened the case under Article 27 of its disciplinary code and lifted the ban on the eve of the match. The move quickly became one of the biggest talking points of the tournament.
Belgium captain Youri Tielemans admitted the controversy fueled the team.
“We all knew what happened,” he said. “Did that give us extra motivation or not? Yes, maybe. But our biggest motivation is to win the game and reach the quarter-finals.”
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said the story surrounding the build-up had disrespected Belgium.
“We felt there was less respect for us. Everyone was talking about the decision and the USA, as if Belgium didn’t exist. We had to answer on the pitch and I think we did that.”
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Midfielder Nicholas Ruskin echoed these sentiments, saying the players deliberately tried to ignore the off-field noise.
“A lot was being said, but we focused on football. The best answer is to win convincingly.”
They took another dig X How the game is called in Europe compared to North America.
It is called s̶o̶c̶c̶e̶r̶ 𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋. 😎 #USABEL #ScoredWithING pic.twitter.com/npWPnchKTa
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) 7 July 2026
Midfielder Nicholas Ruskin echoed these sentiments, saying the players deliberately tried to ignore the off-field noise.
“I think there was justice somewhere in life and it’s true that something like this can happen, you can put it what you want, but we don’t think it’s fair. And today, I think it brought us a little bit of luck. We needed to win the game and the whole message,” he told reporters.
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Manager Rudy Garcia, however, refused to blame Balogun for the saga. Garcia revealed that he spoke briefly to the American striker after the final whistle and emphasized FIFA’s decision-making rather than the controversial player.
“No, it wasn’t needed or needed … what really matters for us is our gameplan,” he said, speaking to Balgun after the final whistle. “He came to talk to me, I love that. … It’s not his fault, he’s not to blame and that’s what I told him.”