Multiple U.S. citizens have announced on social media that they are "rooting for Belgium" on Monday night.
The U.S. men's national team is taking on Belgium in the Round of 16. The Americans are in the middle of a World Cup controversy. FIFA has suspended the red card issued to star striker Folarin Balogun, making him eligible to play on Monday night.
U.S. President Donald Trump played at least a small role in the controversy, as he called FIFA's president to ask for a review.
"All I did was ask for a review. I didn't say, you have to do this," Trump said at a White House media briefing Monday. "This man is a smart, tough man, Gianni Infantino. He's a smart, tough man, and his stock has gone through the roof because the job he has done has been great. I feel like we have to have all the best players on the field."
Amid the controversy, it's clear that most of the world will be rooting against the U.S. on Monday evening.
Multiple World Cup figures, including England's coach and Belgium's coach, have spoken out against the ruling.
"I think first of all, to be very clear, that it was not a red card," said Thomas Tuchel of Balogun. "But VAR got involved and obviously three people from VAR and the referee checked it and were of the opinion it is a yellow card so the decision is made.
"Who overturns this decision and when and on what grounds? And how far does this go now? It is just strange for me. We just want to have consistency in the decisions. So, is our yellow card after the first minute against Declan Rice… We can now debate endlessly. I think it is not a yellow card. Do we get this back? Does France get the yellow card back for [Michael] Olise [against Paraguay] which was not a yellow card?
"Where does this end? I don't know the rules. I am the wrong person to ask. I will wait and see what's coming."
However, it's not just the rest of the world rooting against America. Multiple U.S. citizens have taken to social media to proclaim that they are rooting for Belgium.
U.S. citizens announce they're rooting for Belgium
"I’m a U.S. citizen who will be rooting for Belgium tonight. Probably just me," one user shared on X, in a post that has been viewed 2.4 million times.
Another user added: "This is an absolute embarrassment to the United States. Once again our President embarrasses our nation on the world stage and now takes to social media, boosting that his phone call to FIFA changed the outcome 🤦🏻♂️
"Absolutely horrible precedent being set here. As a US citizen I will be routing for Belgium to win this game. Not because I don’t love my country, but as a lifelong professional sportsman that has dedicated his career to growing sport around the world. I’ve always taught the importance of integrity and sadly the US has proven to the world we have absolutely none. Shameful."
Several similar tweets have gone viral, as well.
Of course, most of America will be cheering on its country on Monday night, but in a country this size, not everyone is going to be on board.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. E.T. on FOX.
