Belgium dismantled the United States 4-1 in the World Cup round of 16 on July 6, 2026, in Seattle. But the real fireworks happened before kickoff, when Belgian coach Rudi Garcia went after FIFA for reversing a one-match suspension on US striker Folarin Balogun, calling the decision something resembling an “April Fools’ joke.”
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Charles De Ketelaere scored twice for Belgium, with Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku also finding the net in what became a comprehensive elimination of the host nation. The US managed just a single goal in response.
Balogun had received a red card in a prior match, which should have triggered an automatic one-match ban. FIFA reversed that suspension before the Belgium game, reportedly after intervention from President Trump. Garcia made his displeasure known on July 5, framing Belgium’s objection as a defense of football’s integrity rather than competitive self-interest. The Belgian football federation filed an appeal against the suspension’s reversal, though it was ultimately unsuccessful.
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