Belgium crushes USA’s World Cup dream: ‘We held a meeting when we heard the news’

USA fans react during the first half of the World Cup game between Belgium versus USA at a 'Kick it in the Park" World Cup watch party at Echo Park on July 06, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Justin Sullivan /Getty Images

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Belgium captain Youri Tielemans revealed his team had been fired up by the uproar surrounding Folarin Balogun after the Red Devils thrashed the United States 4-1 at the World Cup on Monday.

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Tielemans said Belgium’s players had held a team meeting after Balogun’s shock FIFA reprieve and had vowed to make a statement against the World Cup co-hosts.

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Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States attends a training session ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match at University of Washington on July 05, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. Photo by Jamie Squire /Getty Images

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“Let’s be honest: we held a meeting when we heard the news,” Tielemans said of the Balogun controversy.

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“We told ourselves we needed to do our talking on the pitch. That’s what we did today. I’m very proud of the team,” the Aston Villa midfielder told Belgium’s RTBF broadcaster.

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Balogun was named in the United States line-up on Monday after FIFA suspended his one-match ban for a sending off in the last 32, but he made little impact in the match.

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Four jets fly directly over the stadium in Seattle as the U.S. national anthem is performed before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. Photo by Jamie Squire /Getty Images

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The shock FIFA decision came after an intervention by US President Donald Trump in a decision which drew condemnation across the football world.

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Tielemans’ teammates echoed their captain’s words.

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“There was a sense of injustice within the squad, and we were determined to respond on the field,” said Nicolas Raskin.

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Youri Tielemans #8 of Belgium applauds fans after the 4-1 victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. Photo by Luke Hales /Getty Images

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Dodi Lukebakio said the Belgian team “didn’t understand really why he was allowed to play, because he got the red card,” but said they had been focused on performing.

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“That’s what we did today. So we are very happy, very proud, and what is all around us is not our problem.”

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‘Not his fault’ 

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Belgium coach Rudi Garcia had been among the outspoken critics of FIFA’s decision, telling reporters before the game that the ruling seemed like a prank from “April Fool’s Day.”

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Fans watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at the Armadillo Den on July 06, 2026 in Austin, Texas. Photo by Brandon Bell /Getty Images

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But he struck a more conciliatory note in his post-game press conference, insisting that extra motivation from the Balogun affair “wasn’t needed or necessary.”

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“We told (our players) about what was happening. The group is very mature. We have leaders to help us go through that. I told them that mattered the most was us,” he said.

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Garcia also expressed his appreciation that Balogun had made an effort to speak with him directly after the game.

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Folarin Balogun, left, and teammate Christian Pulisic of the United States reacts to him receiving a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between last Wednesday. Photo by Charlotte Wilson /GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

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“He came to talk to me. I really like that. It’s not his fault, he’s not the one to blame, and that’s what I told him,” said Garcia.

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“I really appreciate the intention that he came to see me.”

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Overshadowed by the controversy, Monday’s game turned out to be a one-sided affair, with the US rarely threatening Belgium other than a deflected Malik Tillman free kick.

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FILE: U.S. President Donald Trump joined by FIFA president Gianni Infantino (R) holds the World Cup Trophy as he makes an announcement in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on August 22, 2025. Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS /AFP via Getty Images

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But Garcia praised his vanquished opponents for “a great World Cup, regardless of this last game.”

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“What really mattered to us is our game plan… The US team is dynamic and full of energy,” said the coach.

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“We played with real grit,” added Tielemans. “We wanted to get off to a good start — something we’d been missing earlier in the tournament.

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“We knew that if we put them under pressure, they’d make mistakes.”

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