Belgium vs USA has an extra dimension tonight, beyond it pitting one of Europe’s strongest sides against one of the World Cup co-hosts.
After US president Donald Trump called Fifa boss Gianni Infantino and managed to have Folarin Balogun’s red-card ban suspended, the USA striker is set to feature in Seattle.
And he could be crucial here, having scored three goals in three games, including in USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina in the last 32. For all the criticism of the decision to send Balogun off in that game, there has been even greater outrage at Fifa’s move to delay his ban by a year.
That is the backdrop as Belgium aim to live up to their status as one of the most-talented outfits in the tournament – a status they have not underlined with their results so far, including in the last 32, when they needed a miraculous comeback to beat Senegal 3-2 at the death.
Follow all the action from the World Cup last-16 game below:
Trump labels Balogun red card decision ‘horrible’
“All I did was ask for a review,” Trump said when asked about it during an unrelated Oval Office event. “I didn’t say, ‘You have to do this.’”
ITrump labelled the referee’s call as “horrible”.
“I didn’t think it was a foul,” he added. “I thought it was two great athletes that crashed into each other and got entangled.”
USA v Belgium predicted line-ups
USA XI: Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, Robinson; Tillman, Adams, McKennie; Dest, Balogun, Pulisic
Belgium XI: Courtois; Castagne, Theate, Mechele, De Cuyper; Vanaken, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; De Ketelaere
USA v Belgium team news
USA will controversially have Balogun available after his suspension was wiped by Fifa. Pochettino also has injury concerns regarding Mark McKenzie and Cristian Roldan, while talisman Christian Pulisic will be expected to start after his injury problems earlier in the tournament.
Zeno Debast is still a doubt to feature for Belgium due to an injury that has kept him out the entire World Cup, though Leandro Trossard is fit despite concerns.
US Secretary of State on Trump’s impact after Balogun ban rescinded
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “It was great. They got screwed with that red card. There needs to be an appeal process for that. It’s probably too late for that.”
Fifa president clarifies Donald Trump conversation over rescinding Balogun ban
Balogun was shown a straight red card during the United States’ last-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic in which he appeared to scrape his studs down the calf of the defender before landing on, and twisting, his ankle.
The forward has been an influential player for the World Cup 2026 co-hosts and would have missed the last-16 clash with Belgium due to a one-match ban following his dismissal.
Trump finally arrives at World Cup – but Balogun decision shows Fifa hasn’t learned its lesson
It came like a bolt from the blue, so much so that many Team USA players and staff were completely unaware of the pack of cards being shuffled behind closed doors on Sunday morning. US defender Chris Richards even admitted: “I thought it was AI at first.”
The extraordinary decision by Fifa to “suspend” Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban for his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina means the United States will have their star striker available for the last-16 tie against Belgium, who maintain they are “astonished” at the decision. Just thirty-two hours before kick-off in Seattle, head coach Mauricio Pochettino has been handed a massive boost to his hopes of a quarter-final spot.
It is extraordinary because the case seemed closed: Fifa confirmed after the Bosnia match that, rightly or wrongly, there were no grounds for the US to appeal the decision or the sanction. However, the first indications that wheels were perhaps in motion higher up the food chain came on Friday.
Belgium v USA
After an extraordinary 24 hours with Fifa changing Folarin Balogun’s ban to a suspended ban, the football world has melted.
The Belgian FA are furious, Norway’s manager has joined the debate, despite his side not being impacted directly, and now Trump has candidly spoken about his direct involvement with Fifa President Gianni Infantino.
Many are suggesting that the decision on Balogun compromises the fair play and integrity of the tournament.
And in just a few hours, the USMNT will be playing Belgium in a massive last 16 tie. We’ll have all the build-up for you.
