Belgium didn’t just knock the United States out of the World Cup on Monday night. The Red Devils made sure everyone knew exactly what they thought about the controversy that dominated the days leading up to the match.
After a dominant 4-1 victory over the USMNT in Seattle, several Belgian players celebrated by mimicking President Donald Trump’s signature dance moves, a gesture widely interpreted as a jab at the president following his involvement in the Folarin Balogun suspension controversy.
😂 pic.twitter.com/gV0OKWyLOM
— FootyVerse (@AFCcorner89) July 7, 2026
Belgium advanced to the quarterfinals behind a commanding performance that saw Charles De Ketelaere score twice before Romelu Lukaku added a late goal to seal the rout. As players gathered around Lukaku following his strike, cameras captured multiple Belgian players performing the now-familiar arm-pumping dance associated with Trump rallies and public appearances.
The celebration came after days of international debate surrounding FIFA’s decision to overturn Balogun’s automatic one-match suspension. The American striker had received a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina and was originally expected to miss the knockout-round matchup.
President Trump later revealed that he personally contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino and urged a review of the case. Trump argued that Balogun’s absence would have placed what he described as a “big stain” on the tournament.
The decision sparked criticism from European soccer officials and commentators, with some questioning whether political influence played a role in the reversal. Belgium’s football federation reportedly objected to the ruling before the match.
Following the victory, Belgian midfielder Nicolas Raskin suggested the controversy became a rallying point inside the locker room.
“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.”
Belgian captain Youri Tielemans echoed that sentiment.
“We told ourselves we had to respond on the pitch. That’s what we did,” he said.
Belgium’s social media team appeared eager to continue the trolling after the final whistle. The team’s official X account posted a photo of Lukaku celebrating with the caption: “overturn this.”
The victory sends Belgium into a quarterfinal showdown against Spain while ending the United States’ World Cup run. With Canada and Mexico already eliminated, the U.S. was the last remaining host nation left in the tournament.
You know it’s a rough night when the opposing team turns your president into a goal celebration.
Belgium didn’t beat Team USA because of FIFA politics, referees, or international conspiracies. They beat Team USA because they scored four goals and the Americans scored one.
The “overturn this” post was a world-class troll, and you have to give Belgium credit for commitment to the bit.
Meanwhile, somewhere in America, a soccer commentator is probably still explaining how a 4-1 loss was actually a moral victory.
The good news is the World Cup continues. The bad news is Team USA will be watching it on television like the rest of us.
