Amid unusual events, the Belgian national team played its match against the host country America in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee took an unprecedented decision in the history of the World Cup by lifting the suspension of the American national team player Folarin Balogun, after which events erupted.
The Belgian Federation issued a number of statements, as did the European Football Association, and the Referees Committee in the South American Football Confederation to express objection to what was called "crossing the red lines".
Belgium sweeps America
After everyone settled on Balogun's participation with the United States in the match against Belgium, it was the punch that came from the Red Devils against the host country.
The Belgian national team succeeded in defeating its American counterpart 4-1 in front of 66,925 fans whose hopes were perhaps pinned on Monaco striker Balogun that he had the keys to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Balogun himself was not dangerous on Belgium's goal in the match as he shot one ball between the posts and the crossbar, and passed 7 correct passes out of 12 passes he made, and while he touched the ball 21 times he lost it 9 times, and was substituted in the 90th minute.
Trump's dance on the ruins of America
Romelu Lukaku was able to score the fourth goal for the American national team in stoppage time of the match.
And after he celebrated in front of the American national team fans in a way that translates to "we don't hear you", the entire team had another celebration.
The Belgian national team stars gathered and performed the dance of US President Donald Trump that he does in front of the crowds during any electoral gathering or public event.
Belgium benefited from the Balogun crisis
Yuri Tielemans, star of the Belgian national team, confirmed that the crisis of Folarin Balogun's participation, player of the United States national team, in the match that brought the two teams together, increased the enthusiasm of his team.
And Yuri Tielemans said in statements reported by beIN Sports channel after the match: "Folarin Balogun crisis? Certainly, all the fuss we witnessed in the past few days was an additional moral boost for us".
And the Aston Villa English player added: "Allowing Balogun to play increased our enthusiasm, but such matters are not in our hands, and all we want is to play football. And that's what we did".
