Belgium defeated the United States 4-1 in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup at Lumen Field in Seattle, eliminating the co-hosts and advancing to the quarterfinals to face Spain. This comes amid the controversy surrounding FIFA's suspension of the one=game ban of American player Folarin Balogun.

Belgium dominated early when Nicolas Raskin exploited defensive lapses on the left, crossed low, and Charles De Ketelaere tapped in unmarked scoring in the 9th minute. The U.S. defense (including Sergiño Dest and others) was caught ball-watching.

In the 31th minute, Malik Tillman scored a free-kick from ~25 yards (straight-on but deeper than his previous one vs. Bosnia). It deflected off Belgian player Hans Vanaken and wrong-footed Thibaut Courtois, giving the US an equalizer that energized the American crowd.

In the 33rd minute, Leandro Trossard crossed from the byline; De Ketelaere headed home unmarked, beating Tim Ream. Poor marking again from the U.S. put Belgium ahead 2-1.

A major error by U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese when he came off his line for a long ball, chested it down under pressure from De Ketelaere, hesitated, and lost control. Hans Vanaken pounced for a long-range finish in the 57th minute putting Belgium ahead 3-1. This effectively ended U.S. hopes.

In the 93rd minute, Amrican Chris Richards' giveaway in the box allowed Romelu Lukaku to seal it in stoppage time, 4-1, for the Belgians.

Belgium dominated possession and exploited U.S. defensive errors and naivety throughout. De Ketelaere was outstanding. The U.S. had moments, especially after the equalizer, but looked overmatched, with Christian Pulisic underperforming before a leg injury forced him off. Balogun was largely quiet. Substitutions like Gio Reyna and Ricardo Pepi couldn't turn it around.

Belgium joins Spain (their next opponent, Friday in the LA area), England, Norway, France, and Morocco in the quarterfinals. All three co-hosts, USA, Canada, Mexico, were eliminated in the Round of 16.

Pre-match coverage which added extra tension, Monday, was a surprise move by FIFA. The soccer body suspended Balogun's one-game ban (probationary period of one year under their disciplinary code, Article 27). If he commits a similar offense in that period, the ban activates. But he was cleared to play in the match against Belgium, after President Trump's intervention.

Trump and U.S. officials appealed to FIFA, including a phone call to the organization's President Gianni Infantino.

Critics called it favoritism toward the co-hosts. Belgium's federation in a statement said it was "astonished," and accused FIFA of crossing a "red line" on fair play. The Belgian soccer body appealed the decision but FIFA denied it. They considered post-match challenges to the decision, but the match proceeded with Balogun playing. Given the match result early Tuesday morning (UTC), the Belgians may not bother appealing afterall.

President Donald Trump confirmed he personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of Folarin Balogun's red card, stating he "didn't think it was a foul" and initially did not understand the suspension implications.

"I've never seen anything like it. I saw the play... that wasn't a foul," Trump told reporters at the White House Monday. "That wasn’t even an infraction. That was two guys running full speed that happened to crash into each other... So yes, I asked for a review by FIFA."

White House officials reportedly orchestrated a multi-day legal and political campaign to overturn the sanction after Balogun was ejected during a 2–0 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who attended the match, and Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House World Cup task force, recruited lawyers to challenge the use of slow-motion replay in the VAR decision and raised unproven allegations regarding the referee's history.

While Trump told reporters he only asked for a review and claimed no influence over the independent disciplinary committee's outcome, sources indicate he made multiple calls to Infantino to secure the reversal under Article 27 of FIFA's disciplinary code, which permits suspending disciplinary measures for probation.

Following this intervention and the submission of additional evidence by the U.S. government, FIFA reversed Balogun's one-game suspension on July 5, 2026, marking the first time since 1962 a World Cup red card did not result in a mandatory ban.

The decision allows Balogun to play for Team USA against Belgium in the Round of 16, though it sparked outrage from the Belgian federation and accusations of compromised tournament integrity from UEFA.

The reversal has drawn sharp criticism and raised questions about political influence in sports governance. The Belgian football federation described the decision as "astonishing" and filed an unsuccessful appeal, while UEFA called it "incomprehensible and unjustifiable."

Infantino said in a statement: “I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee related to the suspension of Folarin Balogun, and I would like to reiterate a fundamental principle of FIFA’s governance.

“FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected.

“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.” 

Trump, who previously received the inaugural "FIFA Peace Prize" from Infantino, celebrated the move on Truth Social as correcting a "great injustice." Many soccer analysts and commentators have also criticized the referee's decision in to issue the red card, saying it was a unfair and wrong call.

England defeated Mexico 3-2 in the Round of 16 at Estadio Azteca early morning UTC, Monday, advancing to the quarterfinals against Norway.

Mexico, as co-hosts, entered the match with strong home support and momentum after beating Ecuador 2-0 in the Round of 32. Mexican fans had previously disrupted Ecuador's preparations with loud noise outside their hotel. They attempted the same tactic against England.

England tried to keep their hotel location secret (reportedly booking multiple options) and arrived in Mexico City amid a hostile reception. Hundreds of fans booed the team bus upon arrival. Heavy security followed, with over 100 riot police in bulletproof vests, a fence, Guardia Nacional officers, and other measures (including a police dog and drone) around the hotel—likely the JW Marriott in Santa Fe.

Despite these efforts, hundreds of Mexican fans gathered late Saturday night. They used loudspeakers, horns, drums, trumpets, music, chanting "Mexico," revving engines, and fireworks in a "serenata" to disrupt the players' sleep. Police kept most fans at a distance, pushing some back ~200 meters, and the hotel's soundproofing helped limit the impact. England still faced a raucous atmosphere at the Azteca. The match itself was delayed about an hour by severe weather.

England took control with Bellingham's two rapid first-half goals--in the 36th-and 38th-minute--assisted by Bukayo Saka and Kane. Mexico pulled one back quickly Julián Quiñones' 42nd minute volley before halftime. In the second half, England went down to 10 men when Jarell Quansah received a straight red card after dangerous challenge on Jesús Gallardo, around the 54th-minute. Harry Kane's 69th-minute penalty restored a two-goal cushion for the English.

Mexico got a 69th-minute penalty back through Jiménez Raúl Jiménez after another foul involving Kane.

England then defended resiliently for the rest of the match, with standout performances from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and winger Anthony Gordon helping them hold on despite Mexico's pressure and home advantage.

This was Mexico's first World Cup loss at the Azteca (a historic venue for them), ending their run and extending their wait for a quarterfinal appearance since 1986. England avenged some historical ghosts from their last visit to the stadium.

England will face Norway (who upset Brazil 2-1 in the Round of 16, with Erling Haaland scoring twice) in the quarterfinals, this weekend in Miami.