Belgium mocks US victory following FIFA controversy
The Belgian national football team secured a decisive 4-1 victory over the United States, a result that has prompted widespread commentary across Belgian media regarding a recent FIFA disciplinary decision involving Folarin Balogun.
Following the full-time whistle, the official social media account for the Belgian Red Devils posted a direct message reading, “Cancel this.” The post appeared to reference the recent controversy surrounding a potential suspension for Balogun, which was ultimately overturned following reported high-level communication between Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Media reaction to the U.S. defeat
Belgian news outlets have framed the victory as a definitive response to the off-field narrative surrounding the tournament. The French-language newspaper Le Soir featured the headline, “Hello, Donald?” on its front page, accompanied by an image of Romelu Lukaku celebrating his goal by covering his ears—a gesture that some observers noted resembled the dance moves frequently associated with Donald Trump.
Other outlets focused on the perceived futility of political intervention in sporting outcomes. La Libre reported that the external interest in the player’s eligibility proved ineffective, noting that the Belgian team displayed its highest level of play against the U.S. side. Similarly, the Flemish publication De Standaard observed that despite the intensity of FIFA’s decision-making process, the Belgian team sent the United States home with significant authority.
Het Laatste Nieuws added to the discourse by questioning the reaction in Washington, explicitly asking, “What will Donald Trump think of this?”
Looking ahead: The quarter-final against Spain
While the victory over the United States remains a prominent topic, the Belgian team has shifted its focus to the upcoming quarter-final match against Spain. The game is scheduled for Friday in Los Angeles at 9:00 p.m. local time. Flemish public broadcaster VRT noted that the timing is considered “convenient” for the team’s preparation.
Spain enters the match with a strong reputation, having remained impenetrable thus far in the tournament. According to VRT analysis, Spain secured comfortable victories over Austria and Portugal. While the Spanish team experienced a difficult start—notably a draw against Cape Verde—analysts highlight Lamine Yamal as a key threat, describing him as a force of “unpredictable fury.”
Historical context of the Belgium-Spain rivalry
The upcoming match presents a significant challenge for the Belgian squad. The French-language broadcaster RTBF reported that the team will need to “defy the statistics” to advance, as Belgium has historically struggled against Spain. Records indicate that in 23 previous encounters, Belgium has recorded six victories, five draws, and 12 losses.
Recent history also favors the Spanish side, which has won five of the last five meetings between the two nations. The last time Belgium defeated Spain was during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where the Red Devils prevailed in a penalty shootout. As the team prepares for the Friday night showdown, the focus remains on overcoming these historical imbalances to secure a place in the semi-finals.
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