Folarin Balogun of the United States argues with referee Adham Makhadmeh during the Fifa World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
US coach Mauricio Pochettino said he was disappointed and frustrated by the backlash over Folarin Balogun's ban but insisted it was no excuse for his side's World Cup exit at the hands of Belgium on Monday.
Striker Balogun was cleared by Fifa to play in the co-hosts' pivotal round-of-16 clash despite having earned a red card in the previous game, following a call by US President Donald Trump to soccer's global governing body.
Fifa said the decision was not influenced by Trump, but the ensuing row dominated the final days of the US World Cup campaign, with Pochettino obliged to defend Balogun's eligibility for a game that ended with a crushing 4-1 loss in Seattle.
"I am so frustrated and so disappointed with the people who are supposed to understand this situation," said Pochettino, accusing critics of "mixing" politics with Fifa's decision.
