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Overturn this! Belgium mock President Trump after knocking USA out of World Cup
07th July, 2026 02:16 PM
Belgium celebrated in style after knocking tournament co-hosts the United States out of the FIFA World Cup with a commanding 4-1 victory in Seattle on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, with players appearing to direct a playful jab at US President Donald Trump and FIFA during their post-goal celebrations.
The European side booked a place in the quarter-finals against Spain after an impressive display that saw Charles De Ketelaere net twice before halftime, while Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku added goals after the break to complete a dominant performance.
The build-up to the round-of-16 clash had been overshadowed by controversy surrounding FIFA’s decision to suspend the automatic one-match ban handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun. The move followed intervention from President Donald Trump, who acknowledged asking FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the case.
Overturn this!
Belgium, who had opposed the decision without success, appeared motivated by the events off the pitch.
After Lukaku scored Belgium’s fourth goal, several players celebrated by copying Trump’s trademark dance moves. The Belgian national team’s official X account also weighed in with a pointed post that read: “Overturn this.”
Midfielder Nicolas Raskin admitted the squad had drawn motivation from the controversy.
“A lot has happened off the pitch over the last two days,” Raskin said.
“There was a sense of injustice within the squad, and we were determined to respond on the field.”
Captain Youri Tielemans echoed those sentiments, saying the players channelled their emotions into their performance.
“We told ourselves we had to respond on the pitch. That’s what we did,” he said.
Ahead of the match, Trump confirmed that he had personally requested FIFA president Gianni Infantino to “review” Balogun’s suspension following the striker’s dismissal against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
FIFA announced on Sunday, July 5, 2026, that Balogun’s automatic suspension had been lifted, allowing him to feature against Belgium despite appeals from the Belgian Football Association.
The decision drew criticism from UEFA, which claimed FIFA had “crossed a red line” and placed the “integrity of the game at stake.” However, Infantino maintained that FIFA’s disciplinary committee had acted independently.
Red card drama
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said Balogun approached him after the match, insisting the American forward should not be blamed for the controversy.
“I really liked that. It’s not his fault, he’s not the one to blame and that’s what I told him,” Garcia said.
Asked whether the events surrounding Balogun distracted his players, Garcia replied:
“Regardless of the US starting line-up, what really mattered to us is our game plan.”
“The group is very mature. I told them what matters the most is us.”
Balogun speaks
Balogun himself stressed that he had no influence over the process that led to his reinstatement.
“I accepted the decision when I was given the red card, and I accepted the decision when I was told I was allowed to play.”
“I didn’t have any involvement in the process, and that’s not something that has anything to do with me personally,” he said.
Meanwhile, pressure has continued to mount on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, with some political figures calling for his resignation over the Balogun decision. Despite the criticism, Infantino is widely expected to seek another term as FIFA president next year, with strong backing from several continental football confederations.
FIFA has maintained throughout the controversy that its disciplinary committee operates independently and that Infantino played no role in the decision to suspend Balogun’s automatic one-match ban.
