Trump Called FIFA to Get a Player's Ban Reversed — The U.S. Lost 4-1, Belgium Danced to YMCA in the Locker Room, Posted "Overturn This," and the World Learned What Happens When You Replace Sportsmanship with Political Favors
The United States Men's National Team lost 4-1 to Belgium in the Round of 16, eliminated from a World Cup they were hosting. Two days earlier, Trump had called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to get striker Folarin Balogun's red card suspension reversed — which FIFA did, in a first-of-its-kind decision that UEFA called "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable." Belgium captain Youri Tielemans revealed the team held a meeting when they heard: "We told ourselves we needed to do our talking on the pitch." They did. Belgium scored in the 9th minute. De Ketelaere scored twice, Vanaken added a third after a goalkeeping blunder, Lukaku sealed it in stoppage time. Balogun — the man Trump moved heaven and earth to get on the pitch — was "largely anonymous" and subbed off in the 92nd minute. Belgium's fans chanted "FIFA Mafia" on their march to the stadium. After the final whistle, Belgium's official account posted "Overturn this." The players did Trump's signature YMCA dance by the corner flag, then again in the locker room — Lukaku and De Ketelaere leading the fist-pumping routine. Nicolas Raskin said justice was served. Coach Rudi Garcia sought out Balogun to tell him personally: "It's not his fault." Trump had called the referee "a little bit suspect" and urged journalists to "check his past." He admitted: "I didn't know what the hell a red card was." With the loss, all three host nations — the United States, Canada, and Mexico — were eliminated from the tournament. Trump's call didn't just fail to help. It may have been the single most counterproductive thing anyone could have done.