Belgium dominated the USA (4-1) in the 2026 World Cup last 16, but the Folarin Balogun affair and Donald Trump's comments overshadowed the performance. The US president, whose country is co-hosting the tournament, claimed to have influenced the suspension of the American striker's red card, sparking an international controversy. Folarin Balogun, the US forward, revealed that the incident had disrupted his team's preparation. I could almost sense a certain nervousness among my teammates, he told CBS Sports. Belgium, who lost to Spain (2-1) on July 10, 2026, are now preparing for their next match against Italy on September 25, 2026. ## What did Donald Trump say? Donald Trump claimed to have used his FIFA connections to overturn Balogun's red card. It's a completely unique situation, admitted the American striker. His team ultimately lost to Belgium, but the affair continued to make waves. ## Why did it affect the USA? According to Balogun, the incident created a distraction for his team. There was a lot of noise around us, and it's hard to avoid, he explained. Belgium, on the other hand, stayed focused and won the match. ## What does Trump's entourage think? Andrew Giuliani, the White House official in charge of World Cup organization, downplayed the impact of the affair. I remain proud of our players, he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. Belgium, who have lost their last two matches, will need to regroup for the crucial clash against Italy. Amadou Onana, currently sidelined, could return for this game.