Belgium’s World Cup Win Fuels Online Mockery Of Trump, FIFA Reversal

India-West News Desk

SEATTLE, WA – The United States’ FIFA World Cup campaign ended in disappointment with a 4-1 loss to Belgium on July 7, with the defeat overshadowed by an international backlash over the controversial reinstatement of American striker Folarin Balogun and a wave of online criticism directed at President Donald Trump.

Belgium advanced to the quarterfinals with a dominant display at Seattle Stadium, powered by two first-half goals from Charles De Ketelaere, a strike from Hans Vanaken and a stoppage-time goal by substitute Romelu Lukaku. Midfielder Malik Tillman scored the lone goal for the US.

The defeat eliminated the US, making it the last of the three co-host nations to exit the tournament after Canada and Mexico were knocked out in the Round of 16.

While Belgium celebrated on the field, the loudest reactions came online, where many fans and political observers framed the result as a rebuke to what they viewed as political interference in sport.

The controversy began after Balogun, who had received a red card against Bosnia, was reinstated for the Belgium match following a phone call between Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. FIFA reversed the one-match suspension, saying the case had been reviewed, while Trump denied directing the governing body to act.

Belgium’s national team seized on the moment after its victory, posting a savage message on social media: “Overturn this.”

The post was widely shared across Europe, where commentators portrayed Belgium’s victory as restoring sporting fairness. Belgium-based media declared that “Belgium got the last laugh,” while a Spanish newspaper wrote that soccer “still has antibodies against injustice.”

Belgian politicians also joined the online celebration. Prime Minister Bart De Wever used his cat’s popular Instagram account to post, “I slept so well! You too?” alongside a photo of the cat hugging a Trump plush toy.

Many social media users joked that Belgium should prepare for U.S. tariffs after defeating the host nation, referencing Trump’s repeated use of tariffs in disputes with allies.

The criticism was not confined to Europe. Many American fans also expressed embarrassment over the controversy.

“This is humiliating,” one widely shared post read, while another wrote, “We didn’t deserve to win like this anyway.” Others argued that politics had overshadowed the tournament, with one user saying, “As an American, I’m ashamed this even became part of the World Cup.”