While the U.S. disappointed in the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup, falling to Belgium, 4-1, not everyone was unhappy with the defeat.
Some U.S. citizens took to social media to "celebrate" the loss, in the wake of President Trump getting involved. President Trump said that he asked for FIFA to review the red card given to Folarin Balogun, which would have suspended him for Monday night's game. Ultimately, FIFA did review the play and ultimately opted to put the red card suspension on hold, making him eligible to play.
"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."
© Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, meanwhile, defended the decision.
"Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues. During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA's independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA's system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold.
"I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes, I am surprised by them. Sometimes, I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree.
"What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant. Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times."
Some U.S. citizens were not happy with President Trump's involvement
Longtime comedian Rosie O'Donnell, for one, ripped President Trump for his decision.
"The fact that he called up FIFA and had the penalty revoked for the American team and America was like, 'Yeah, that's good! I didn't think it was a red card anyway!' Well, you're not the freakin' ref! You don't get to decide!" O'Donnell told Variety.
"Since when does he get to make and change the rules, the goalposts, whatever metaphor you want to use, and everyone just sits by and shrugs their shoulders? There's so much (corruption) that we don't even notice it."
Other U.S. citizens, meanwhile, celebrated it as well.
"Congratulations Belgium on beating the (expletive) out of the United States," one citizen wrote.
"Trump trashed the reputation of his country, the tournament the USA is hosting, and the US national team, only to get battered 4-1. The most poetic of justice, but all those who cheered on the corruption don’t get to brush it aside now they’ve lost. The stench will remain," one citizen added.
"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," one fan added.
"Thanks Belgium, for knocking this corrupt team out of the World Cup!" one fan added.
Those fans will apparently get to root for Belgium against Spain in the Round of 8 on Friday afternoon.
