Was this the most momentous day of the 2026 World Cup?Co-hosts Mexico lost perhaps the game of the tournament so far to England, Brazil were dumped out by Norway’s Vikings and, if you throw in one of the most controversial decisions in the modern history of the World Cup then, yes, it was.FIFA’s unprecedented decision to allow Folarin Balogun to play in the U.S. team’s huge last-16 clash with Belgium on Seattle on Sunday was the day’s major talking point. Recriminations from it may ripple on for some time yet.On the pitch, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and their England team mates produced a performance for the ages in Mexico City, somehow holding off the fervent co-hosts with 10 men after a second-half red card.And despite a late penalty from Neymar, Brazil made their earliest exit from the competition since 1990, with Erling Haaland scoring with two clinical strikes to put Norway into their first ever World Cup quarter-final, where they will face England. Haaland’s goals also saw him pull level with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi at the top of a fascinating race for the Golden Boot.Sunday’s resultsBrazil 1-2 Norway
Mexico 2-3 EnglandShould the US feel guilty about having Balogun back?On a day that should have been about soccer, about Norway over Brazil, about England-Mexico at the Azteca, the 2026 World Cup’s biggest controversy erupted, and it twisted the story of USMNT’s magical run.Until Sunday, it was an overwhelmingly positive story about how a likable team had captivated its nation.On Sunday, FIFA’s decision to essentially rescind Folarin Balogun’s red card — following a push by U.S. Soccer officials and the Trump administration — sparked incredulous reactions worldwide and questions about the integrity of the competition.“It’s a bad, bad, bad, bad decision,” Norway coach Stale Solbakken said. “ I feel sorry for the USA. If they win, this decision will be in the background. It’s not good for the sport.”But the uncomfortable paradox of it all is that the face of the controversy, Balogun, and the team that many around the world will now turn on are blameless.Flo Balogun’s red card is being suspended. Here’s why that’s controversial.Henry Bushnell and Jayne OrensteinSo, should they feel any guilt as they take the field Monday against Belgium? Of course not. They have handled the situation with class and grace. They refrained from complaints on Wednesday night. Balogun shook the referee’s hand, stayed positive, and spoke about setting an example for the millions of boys and girls watching across the country and around the world.That’s why the vast majority of American fans have celebrated the decision. Even among those who think FIFA is shameless, and even among those who detest Trump or feel icky about his involvement, the prevailing response has been one of triumph and glee. Even if the reversal puts a permanent stain on this World Cup, it doesn’t seem like it will dampen enthusiasm (or patriotism) around the USMNT.
