US president Donald Trump claimed the United States’ World Cup match against Belgium was “rigged, just like the election was rigged in 2020” if the Americans lost. Speaking ahead of the game, which saw the USA lose 4-1, Trump said both teams should be allowed to field their strongest players, calling it "an amazing game" with full-strength squads on both sides. He added that Belgium could be proud if they won, before joking that he would still say the match was “rigged”. “If they beat us, then they can be really proud. The other way, if they beat us, I say it was rigged, just like the election was rigged in 2020.” Trump’s comments came after he intervened to get Folarin Balogun’s red card suspended.