A Bold Statement on Social Media

Following a commanding 4-1 victory over the United States on Monday, the Belgian national team took to social media to mock their opponents and governing bodies. Immediately after the match, Belgium's official X account shared a photograph of their players celebrating the win, accompanied by the pointed caption: «Overturn this.»

The jab served as a direct reference to the pre-match drama involving Folarin Balogun, the top scorer for the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT). FIFA had previously faced intense scrutiny for overturning a red card that should have resulted in Balogun's suspension for the game against Belgium.

The Controversy Surrounding Balogun's Suspension

The tension began during the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, where Balogun was issued a red card following a VAR review. While on-field officials initially saw no foul, the intervention led to a disqualification that, according to standard FIFA regulations, mandated a suspension for the following round.

The decision to rescind the red card just one day before the match shocked many, as it seemingly defied established FIFA protocols. Belgium had prepared for the contest under the assumption that the star striker would be absent, and their subsequent appeal of the late-minute reversal proved unsuccessful.

Political Overtones and Post-Match Celebrations

The controversy deepened when it was revealed that Donald Trump had personally reached out to FIFA to request a review of the red card. While FIFA President Gianni Infantino maintained that the decision was made independently of political pressure, the Belgian squad remained skeptical.

This skepticism was put on display during the match. Following their fourth goal in the 90th minute, Belgian players performed a celebratory dance that many observers noted bore a striking resemblance to the signature movements often seen at Trump's political rallies.

With the victory secured, Belgium now turns its attention to the quarterfinal round, where they are scheduled to face Spain this coming Friday.