USA Facing Belgium in World Cup Round of 16 Game
Belgium can appeal FIFA’s reversal of Folarin Balogun’s suspension, with a ruling possible before the 8 p.m. ET kickoff, officials said.
- The FIFA Appeals Committee ruled United States men's national team striker Folarin Balogun eligible for the round of 16 match, reversing his previous red card suspension.
- President Donald Trump personally asked the governing body's chief Gianni Infantino to review the penalty, a move the president confirmed, stating, "That wasn't even an infraction" during his discussion.
- Challenging the reversal, the Belgian soccer federation was granted the right to appeal, though they claim the governing body is creating red tape so any filing "would be declared inadmissable."
- Criticism emerged from the Union of European Football Associations , which slammed the decision and claimed the organization "crossed a red line" by overturning the disciplinary penalty.
- Kickoff for the USA-Belgium match is set for 8 p.m. ET in Seattle, with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals to play Spain, which defeated Portugal on Monday.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Will Trump not call this time? Vallogun receives preferential treatment; US suffers crushing defeat to Belgium, eliminated from Round of 16. OSEN = Reporter Kang Pil-ju. Striker Florian Vallogun (25), who avoided disciplinary action following a controversy over a pressure call from U.S. President Donald Trump (80), was cast in the starting lineup for AS Monaco in a farce, but even the result was determined by political maneuvering.
The 2026 World Cup continues to advance and, after Spain’s victory against Portugal that we have enjoyed on Monday night, we already have another eighth-final match. The United States-Belgium of Morbo is still in OKDIARIO, in addition to the fact that the winner will be the rival of the Spanish team in fourths, for the ownership of Folarin Balogun, pardoned by FIFA. The striker of the United States is the name of this qualifier, since the entity…
Sydney Morning Herald
FIFA World Cup 2026 LIVE updates: Portugal take on Spain as the USA prepare for Belgium
The 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 phase continues as Portugal prepare for Spain and the USA take on Belgium. Follow along to our live blog for all the action.
USA facing Belgium in World Cup Round of 16 game
What to KnowCharles De Ketelaere scored first inside 10 minutes, as he got on the end of a ball that the U.S. should’ve cleared in time. Malik Tillman responded with another free kick before De Ketelaere made it a brace.U.S. goalie Matt Freese made a major error in the 57th minute, leading to an easy Belgium goal to make it 3-1. Christian Pulisic withdrew with a knock right after.Kickoff time from Seattle was set for 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, forming…
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