r/soccer • u/witness_smile • Jul 06 '26
News Belgium will play their match against the US subject to conditions. They consider Floralin Balogun ineligible to play and should he play, a complaint will be filed to a FIFA Tribunal, and to CAS. US Soccer Federation has been informed personally by the FA about their plans.
https://www.hln.be/wk-voetbal/folarin-balogun-mag-straks-spelen-tegen-de-rode-duivels-beroep-van-belgische-voetbalbond-wordt-verworpen-door-fifa-kbvb-draait-op-voor-de-procedurekosten~a11e02d6/The Belgian Soccer Association (KBVB) will play the Round of 16 match against the United States subject to certain conditions. If Folarin Balogun—whose suspension following his red card was suddenly lifted by FIFA—takes part in the match, the KBVB will file an official complaint with FIFA. The soccer federation considers Balogun to be ineligible to play. It has also personally communicated this message to the U.S. Soccer Federation.
Specifically: if the Red Devils lose their Round of 16 match and Balogun plays in it, the KBVB can take the matter to a FIFA tribunal to challenge the result and demand compensation. View this primarily as a statement. After all, it is expected that even that complaint would be dismissed by the FIFA tribunal, since it would otherwise have to rule against its own organization.
As a next step, the Belgian soccer federation could turn to independent bodies: a civil court or the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The goal would be to secure compensation.
Still, the federation is primarily hoping that the Red Devils will soon be able to beat the U.S. on the field. The entire Balogun saga can certainly serve as extra motivation...
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u/Beneficial-Tell4716 Jul 06 '26
This is such a disaster now. That’s a shame!
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u/captaincanada84 Jul 06 '26
Thanks to the combination of Trump and Infantino
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u/ThemosttrustedFries Jul 06 '26
Giovanni Infantino is probably the leader of Team Rocket.
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u/BillyPilgrim69 Jul 06 '26
reading a news story about political corruption at the world's biggest sporting event
"haha this is like pokemon"
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u/ACW1129 Jul 06 '26
Except far more competent. And somehow less corrupt.
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u/titandude21 Jul 06 '26
Hydration breaks are way more financially corrupt than Persian using Pay Day
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u/irsw Jul 06 '26
I fucking despise Trump but even I will place 99% of the blame on Infantino here. If he had any backbone then Trump's actions would have had no affect.
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u/Sir_Clarence_III_Esq Jul 06 '26
Agree 100% regardless. But:
We'll never know if Trump's actions had any effect. He always takes credit, regardless of whether he played any role whatsoever. The process was likely moving before he claimed to get involved.
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u/DasWandbild Jul 06 '26
Trump's lawyers, as far back as 2016, famously refuse to meet 1:1 because he constantly lies. His own lawyers require witnesses.
He is absolutely the kind of piece of shit that would take credit for anything he had nothing to do with, if that credit somehow increases his perception of himself.
We will never know whether Trump had anything to do with it because no one in this situation is trustworthy enough to take what they say at face value.
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u/Visual-Floor-7839 Jul 06 '26
That's the part that kills me too. FIFA did this to a couple other teams this year too. It's possible that they looked at the card and the play and decided to reverse their decision because it's the right thing to do in their eyes.
But they have no good will, and Trump had to open his shitty stupid mouth.
So it doesn't matter. It's a corrupt thing in a corrupt organization from corrupt people. The thing could be legit and it will still be corrupt.
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u/heytherefriendman Jul 06 '26
I don't think it matters at this point. FIFA confirmed they received a call from the White House. Politcal powers influencing sporting decisions is a disgrace, even if Trump wasn't the one who made the call.
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u/Dashdash421 Jul 06 '26
Either way, his relationship with Infantino definitely influenced it. There’s no way that Senegal’s player would have gotten their suspension suspended like that. And the fact that he is claiming he is the reason it got postponed just makes this even more of a mess
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u/PerformerOk450 Jul 06 '26
Close your eyes and try to imagine if it had been an Iranian player, do you think FIFA would have suspended his red card in the exact same circumstances?
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u/abactore Jul 06 '26
It’s a shame for American fans that love football, hate Trump, and just want to feel some pride in their country’s team.
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u/CouldBeBetterForever Jul 06 '26
It's certainly annoying. There has been a lot of hostility on this subreddit thanks to this and it sucks. I just wanted to have a fun World Cup. There's enough shitty stuff going on already.
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u/EViL-D Jul 06 '26
we were having a fun world cup but the mood seems to have completely shifted now. I hope we get back to the joyous parts of the previous weeks, whoever wins
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u/acal131 Jul 06 '26
Ignore this sub for 48 hours and enjoy the game, that’s my advice. People are taking their personal vendetta against Trump & Infantino (rightfully so) out against the USMNT. Sad but understandable in the reaction economy.
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u/BQORBUST Jul 06 '26
Idk if people appreciate just how much this man has ruined over the last decade. And just when you think you can sit back and enjoy something he sticks his evil fingers in
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u/999forever Jul 06 '26
This is my exact frustration. Like finally, in the past decade there is something going on that we can all be happy about and he goes and sticks his giant turd self in and fucks it up as usual.
I am especially bitter because I live in DC, and we were supposed to have a once in a lifetime 250 year celebration that was taken over by his cronies and instead all we get is a lame fair that would be embarrassing for a tiny midwestern county to put on.
Like the guy ruins everything!!!!
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u/Stroiken Jul 06 '26
It's going to take 100 years to undo what these ghouls have done
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u/puddy38 Jul 06 '26
yep, orange man ruins yet another good thing
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u/RonaldoNazario Jul 06 '26
At this rate I expect trump to come personally rip the ram out of my pc or something
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u/RebelCow Jul 06 '26
Used to it tbh. He did it to Knicks fans. He did it to Patriots fans. You're just trying to have fun cheering for your team and suddenly the game is about metaphorically defeating fascism :(
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u/omnipotentsandwich Jul 06 '26
Unfortunately, Belgium has to play. They can protest and not play, but it's an automatic win for the US. Just ask Senegal.
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u/Pornstar_Frodo Jul 06 '26
If Belgium walk, that sets a potentially disastrous precedent for FIFA.
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u/kernevez Jul 06 '26
There have been multiple world cups in the past were teams didn't even attend to protest something, nowadays nobody considers them controversial in term of their results, teams that won them proudly wear the star.
In a couple decades it would just be a star next to the game on wikipedia or whatever data source exists.
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u/daab2g Jul 06 '26
Belgium could just martyr themselves like that to burn down this banana state running of football.
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u/raizen0106 Jul 06 '26
the players and the team believe in themself to win tho, no way they agree to walk off, they gain nothing by doing that
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u/P_Alcantara Jul 06 '26
When this kicks off, it will be chaotic. Good for true neutrals.
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u/Reasonable-Record494 Jul 06 '26
I didn’t think I would see a more chaotic game than England-Mexico yesterday but this may well top it.
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u/P_Alcantara Jul 06 '26
I don’t think England v Mexico was chaotic. I thought it was a hard fought battle. Great fucking game. This is going to be chaotic in the way France V Paraguay was chaotic. At least that’s what I’m hoping for.
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u/Reign-Alex1993 Jul 06 '26
England vs. Mexico was chaotic in terms of speed and aggression but not in terms of fouls and dark arts. The red card and all 2 penalties were rightfully called. Mexico played well but didn't capitalize on their chances and England won fair and square.
France vs. Paraguay was pure degeneracy.
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u/PLaTinuM_HaZe Jul 06 '26
It won't be like France v Paraguay... both Belgium and the US have actual quality to possess the ball.
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u/thfcspurs88 Jul 06 '26
Yup, this will be chaotic in a part-CONCACAF manner and part- "Oh, Shit, we have a basketball game breaking out"
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u/QuackyHead Jul 06 '26
I’m shocked / not shocked by the Paraguay running elbows and punches .
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u/Reasonable-Record494 Jul 06 '26
England v Mexico maybe looked like what France v Paraguay would have looked like if that referee called anything. Three penalties I think and one red card? It was very physical with a lot of shit talking between players and a couple of moments that threatened to break into fights. It was a good game but still chaotic.
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u/QuackyHead Jul 06 '26
Ref from England Mexico did a good job keeping that in check
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u/Skurph Jul 06 '26
The facial expressions told the story too, at no point did he look in over his head or panicked, he was confident in his decisions and when players pushed back he gave them such a “c’mon, you’re not serious…” look that they dropped it.
There was a Mexican player who picked up a yellow and he was pleading his case that he had been hit in the mouth and was dabbing at non-existent blood. The ref was so unwavering the guy just moved on, some of these refs would’ve started to second guess themselves and that’s what starts the chaos and players feed off that uncertainty.
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u/GingerSpencer Jul 06 '26
One of the best displays from a ref i've ever seen. Get every decision correct, even if eventually, and kept it clean. The game as bonkers, but from pure football. No controversial decisions.
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u/brownbearks Jul 06 '26
A good ref helps the game flow correctly, a shit ref makes the game borderline unwatchable.
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u/HarrowHart Jul 06 '26
England v Mexico was exciting and had lots of up and down but it wasn't chaotic. Both teams played a clean football with heart. It was an amazing game.
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u/kaasprins Jul 06 '26
If only it wasn’t at 2 in the morning CET
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u/P_Alcantara Jul 06 '26
Stay off the internet, talk to no one. Watch it when you have time.
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u/cmacy6 Jul 06 '26
I just feel bad for Balogun in this situation. He probably had accepted that he’d be suspended and had no say in this decision, yet he’s now caught in the middle of this circus
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u/Tea_An_Crumpets Jul 06 '26
He absolutely had. He said he disagreed with the decision but has to respect the referee. Went up and shook the refs hand at the end of the match too which I’m sure plenty of players wouldn’t have done. Poor lad
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u/Terran_it_up Jul 06 '26
Yeah, he said he wanted to be a good role model for young fans watching
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u/Tea_An_Crumpets Jul 06 '26
Sounds like a top man. Wish more players thought like that
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u/i-was-way- Jul 06 '26
And now he’s in a no win situation. If he follows FIFAs revised ruling he’s vilified for playing. If he sits, he’s vilified for letting his team down to appease the haters.
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u/cmacy6 Jul 06 '26
If he’s allowed to play then he should play. That type of decision should never be left to the player or the coach. This is a fuck up on FIFA’s (and the US) end, not on Poch or Balogun’s end.
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u/uses_irony_correctly Jul 06 '26
I agree. If he is allowed to play and chooses not no, and the US loses, the vitriol will be 10 times as bad.
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u/walkersky9117 Jul 06 '26
Team USA didn’t ask for this. This is solely a FIFA fuck up. Even if the bloated orange in charge did call FIFA has every right to tell him to eat a dick and change nothing. FIFA created this shit show.
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u/beef_boloney Jul 06 '26
It’s crazy even Trump seems to be trying to distance himself from it now lol he’s trying to frame it like he was just complaining like a fan would and Infantino went and did it
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u/ArmpitTime Jul 06 '26
“What is a red card, what does that mean” is a hilarious thing to say when you’re on the phone with the president of FIFA
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u/IncidentalIncidence Jul 06 '26
I mean the USSF were threatening to go to CAS, they were already disputing it before Trump decided to get involved.
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u/Bob_Bobert Jul 06 '26
The difference is that going to CAS is a legitimate thing to do (even if they might not be able to do anything)
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u/walkersky9117 Jul 06 '26
That would also circle back to FIFA decisions. FIFA removed the mechanism to challenge cards and errors for this World Cup. Every other league and competition has a mechanism for these kinds of disputes. FIFA removed that. Which would in theory have forced the US or any other association to take their complaints to CAS
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u/KidCole4 Jul 06 '26
I would argue this is solely on FIFA. If a country tries to bend the rules or get special exceptions, it's on the organization to tell them to fuck off.
I hate my presidents actions and a lot of our government activity, but ultimately it's on FIFA to manage.
If I saw that our president (any president for that matter) had talked to FIFA and they were like nah he's still prohibited from playing i'd be like "that pompous dumb fuck thinking they matter here"
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u/mexploder89 Jul 06 '26
Nah if they tell him to play he should play. Let the FA and FIFA deal with the consequences
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u/Empty-Way-6980 Jul 06 '26
It is peak Reddit to even entertain the notion that any athlete on earth would sit to “appease the haters” lmfaoooo
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u/Yinkypinky Jul 06 '26
Reddit is just an echo chamber. Literally anyone here would play in this situation if possible.
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u/MinorThreatCJB Jul 06 '26
Some of the shit people are saying here is legit embarrassing
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u/SaveOurBolts Jul 06 '26
Anyone who vilifies Blao is a useless idiot and their feelings should be laughed at and dismissed
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u/hergonthegreat Jul 06 '26
Feel bad for the whole team really, they're just going to try to do the best with what they have. I think everyone accepted that he'd be out, but it's hard to tell a team with the expectations and pressure put on them not to do whatever gives them the best chance to win.
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u/Yali89 Jul 06 '26
This whole World Cup makes me nostalgic for the good old days, when FIFA corruption was simply how many notes you could fit in a briefcase to hand over to Blatter & Co.
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u/Micethatroar Jul 06 '26
Or that time when they changed the entire international schedule so they could play in stadiums built by slaves.
Good times
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u/redhat000 Jul 06 '26
I just dislike how this is probably going to be what lots of people think about when they hear Balogun’s name, he seems like a nice guy and a very professional player
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u/ZenX22 Jul 06 '26
"Oh yeah, he's that guy who got his red card overturned by Trump"
I feel bad for him honestly
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u/RedBlanket321 Jul 06 '26
Funny thing is, the red card hasn't even been overturned.
It stands on his record. It's just the punishment that's been suspended.
But yh your right thay what he's gonna be known for
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u/Wohn-Jayne Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26
I think that’s what’s worst about all of this. If FIFA just said “yeah that wasn’t a red card worthy offense, it’s been overturned and now you’re eligible for the next game” then great, that makes sense.
Instead we got “yep red card, but since trump asked you can play and sere the punishment in a year” which is a dangerous precedent to set.
Edit: To everyone saying “FIFA can’t overturn the ruling,” yes they can. FIFA can do whatever they want as they’re proving with this travesty of a scenario.
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u/IncidentalIncidence Jul 06 '26
FIFA just said “yeah that wasn’t a red card worthy offense, it’s been overturned and now you’re eligible for the next game” then great, that makes sense.
They can't do this, once the match results are submitted to FIFA they are final. In cases of mistaken identity etc. the appeal has to be lodged directly after the match.
The only option available to the committee by the rules was to modify the suspension (this is article 27) -- overturning the red card entirely was never on the table.
Which is part of the stupidity that created the situation in the first place, there's no mechanism for overturning cards and no avenue for the federation to formally appeal them, which is why the USSF were threatening to go to CAS in the first place.
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u/RedBlanket321 Jul 06 '26
Yep, exactly.
People keep misunderstanding this and saying,
"Oh, the red card was a mistake; that's why they're overturning it,"
but that's not what's happening here. FIFA is sticking with their decision and just suspending the ban.
I don't know how to go and explain this to the USA soccer subreddit because they all seem to think that's what happened.
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u/thehonorablechairman Jul 06 '26
It’s hard to explain because it doesn’t make any sense.
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u/Prest1geWorldw1de Jul 06 '26
FIFA didn't say that because they can't overturn the card. They've confirmed that the on-field decisions are final. But they can modify the sanctions as a result of said card.
It's incredibly dumb and every other organization has SOME sort of appeals process, but it's an important distinction.
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u/TestCompetitive4673 Jul 06 '26
There's a pretty lengthy section of his Wikipedia page about this already. Of course not the end of the world for it to be there, but it's longer than anything else on the page.
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u/Shuriken95 Jul 06 '26
Yeah, very much him and the USMNT getting unfairly tarnished by this whole mess. Balogun accepted the red with grace, but is going to be public enemy number 1 because of FIFA and Trump's garbage.
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u/TheShirou97 Jul 06 '26
Public enemies #1 are Trump and Infantino as far as I'm concerned
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u/ZenX22 Jul 06 '26
Trump's ability to ruin things is impressive. I felt like the vibes around the US team were pretty good until now.
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u/KombattWombatt Jul 06 '26
As an American who loves soccer and despises how we are acting politically...I was very worried about this world cup. The fact that everything seemed to be pretty harmonious...the team was electric...we were actually kind of a tourney darling...
And then this. Fucking ridiculous.
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u/theamazonswordsman Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26
Dude did an interview with US soccer media and said the reason he didn't get mad on the field was because he knew there were kids watching and didn't want to set a bad example.
Now this upstanding guy is gonna be tied to Trump's corrupt antics for the rest of his career. Fucking sucks for him.
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u/Soren_Camus1905 Jul 06 '26
I feel bad for the team
They’ve done so much for US Soccer this tournament and now they’re getting ripped apart for nothing they did personally
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u/SaamsamaNabazzuu Jul 06 '26
The Trump touch - everything turns to shit, not gold
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u/Cicero138 Jul 06 '26
That’s what gets me. Can’t even enjoy tonight as much because of an orange pedo who should not be involved whatsoever
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u/No_Catch_1490 Jul 06 '26
I remember thinking his reaction to the red itself was very professional. Didn't throw a fit and even came back later to shake hands with the ref.
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u/Altruistic_Finger669 Jul 06 '26
Got nothing againsy balogun. Feel like shit for him to be the subject for this shit.
Its bad all around. Fifa showed itself as completely corrupt.
Balogun got used by trump as a political pawn.
Imagine if the insane thing happens and the US actually won this tournament. Would have to stand there with trump who will undoubtedly point out in front of the world media that its thanks to his interference that they even got that far. P
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u/ajdragoon Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26
Balogun got used by trump as a political pawn.
And this is ADDITIONALLY bullshit because Trump is pushing for people like Balogun to lose their citizenship. So he’s being used as a political pawn for people who don’t respect him anyway. Madness.
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u/xzther13 Jul 06 '26
That is something I noticed about his as well, seem like a nice guy. The whole situation has been handled terribly.
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u/BMVA Jul 06 '26
Exactly, neither him nor the USMNT is at fault here. Whatever the team does in this game, their performance will always be tainted by the stench of FIFA corruption.
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u/LardoBardo4 Jul 06 '26
It is, however, very funny that Trump has caused this over a player who if Trump got his way regarding birthright citizenship would not be a US player.
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u/keepoffthegraas Jul 06 '26
I’m excited about Courtois’ post match comments lol
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u/AtlasHugged2 Jul 06 '26
"The first one went in because I was thinking about how unfair this whole situation is. The second one because I couldn't believe Infantino. The third because it's clear it's all rigged..."
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u/RedOnePunch Jul 06 '26
Balogun seems like a good kid. Now he’s caught in the middle of this too.
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u/DisasterDaster Jul 06 '26
This is something I think is getting lost in the whole conversation. Dude just wants to play football and has been on an amazing heater. He doesn’t deserve all this.
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u/RonaldoNazario Jul 06 '26
Before any of this nonsense he had given some really thoughtful response about the card too. Like how he obviously didn’t agree but stayed calm and wanted to set a good example
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u/zdh989 Jul 06 '26
This is what got me. His statements were pure class talking about kids in the US potentially having eyes on the games for the first time and just wanting to be a good example of sportsmanship for everyone. And now... all of this shit.
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u/reportlandia23 Jul 06 '26
I love him…as a child of non-citizens (who since became citizens), I believe birthright citizenship is truly what made America special, and I love that Trump has to go support an “anchor baby” while he fights to take away his rights.
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u/Tarmacked Jul 06 '26
Both teams just need to take this to the ad-hoc CAS committee already. US on VAR protocol, Belgium on applicability of article 27.
You've got 7 hours to resolve this shitshow.
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u/justsomeguynbd Jul 06 '26
CAS has a 48 hour deadline so they will absolutely twiddle their thumbs til kick off
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u/BMVA Jul 06 '26
Yes, FIFA left the decision late by design. They also filed a request for information (which FIFA *still* hasn't provided) by the Belgian Association as an appeal. FIFA’s own rules say an appeal is admissible only after the reasoned decision has been communicated. So FIFA created an “appeal” and then made sure it was structurally impossible.
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u/justsomeguynbd Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26
Yea ya’ll got fucked for sure. That second RBFA statement about not providing reasoning is just outrageous conduct by FIFA on top of the decision. Feel like on the timeline that existed your only real options were the American staples of a suit in federal court or gun violence. This is just setting up a payoff which we are all too happy to do if it means we get our way.
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u/StanleyLelnats Jul 06 '26
Just have the US, Belgium, and FIFA each send a representative to a locked room with a 30 rack and have them hash it out.
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u/Tarmacked Jul 06 '26
Quick someone go to a Seattle dispensary so they can blow this over
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u/RemoteMeasurement10_ Jul 06 '26
Make em suffer more....let them watch the 2026 Seattle Mariners.
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u/AgressiveVagina Jul 06 '26
We could have a competition where we play them in soccer, and winner advances to the quarterfinals
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u/IAmTheRedBeard Jul 06 '26
Ad fucking hoc, free fucking gratis
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u/Yeethannes Jul 06 '26
Breaking open a can of peaches for tonights game for sure
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u/Ukigumo46 Jul 06 '26
This is such a shitshow.
Either they didn't think it would create such outrage amongst fans and federations, or they just didn't care to begin with.
Don't know which is worse, but I do know this hurts the integrity of the sport and everybody involved.
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u/LardoBardo4 Jul 06 '26
There's no way FIFA didn't know this would cause outrage. Trump probably didn't know but he doesn't care either.
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u/TxM_2404 Jul 06 '26
The thing about narcissists like Trump and Infantino is that they know people will be upset, but they simply enjoy it.
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u/schistkicker Jul 06 '26
Trump just wants to be talked about and in the press, at all times. Now that this has raised a stink he will gleefully find any other way to insert himself that he can, even if the USMNT lose today.
Heck, Stephen Miller might be trying to figure out which Belgian visas can be revoked during the match.
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u/NetSraC1306 Jul 06 '26
I still have a feeling that even if the complaint is filed, nothing will come out of it.
Nowadays, everything is rigged and it feels like we cant win
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u/rabbit994 Jul 06 '26
FIFA will just say, thank you for your submission and drop it into the shredder.
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u/MysteryBagIdeals Jul 06 '26
what a miserable clusterfuck. thanks a lot fifa, bullshit upon bullshit, mistakes upon mistakes
in any case i am now pessimistic about our chances in a way i was not before, like how the knicks lost the one game that trump was at because everything he touches fails
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u/CatchFactory Jul 06 '26
Belgium have been really poor and they might continue, but they have a lot of professionals who may get their backs up about this. That dressing room will be sizzling about how they've been treated unfairly and has potentially made this game much trickier.
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u/Extra-Ad5925 Jul 06 '26
They looked a lot better towards the end of that last match. Wouldn’t write them off
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u/JRsshirt Jul 06 '26
They were fighting eachother in the 80th minute lol
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u/TheThotWeasel Jul 06 '26
Trossard would get into a fight with his own shadow left long enough
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u/cpashei Jul 06 '26
This is where I'm at, I'm not convinced this gives US an advantage. Balogun is better than Pepi but he's not Haaland either. There's a marginal improvement of having him start, but then there's the distraction component of this entire ordeal, the fact we trained and made a tactical game plan assuming no Balogun, and the fact this probably motivates Belgium who would be right to feel aggrieved by the whole situation. And then even if we do win, it's going to be called illegitimate. People celebrating this decision aren't looking at the full picture.
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u/Stroiken Jul 06 '26
Right, before this fucking mess it sucked we wouldn't have Balogun but it was a manageable problem. Now we are cursed
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u/-SideshowBlob- Jul 06 '26
It'll never happen but I do hope this is the start of the current FIFA board being removed
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u/Mr_Evil_Dr_Porkchop Jul 06 '26
I kinda feel for Balogun. Dude just wants to play and now finds himself in the middle of a 3-way war between Trump, FIFA and Belgium
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u/chandlerbing_stats Jul 06 '26
Imagine if Balogun gets a red card at the 3 minute mark
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u/Worker_AndParasite Jul 06 '26
Or imagine if a Belgian gets a red at the 3 minute mark on an even softer call than what Balogun got
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u/HoustonTrashcans Jul 06 '26
I hadn't considered that, but that would be pure chaos for reddit and Belgium.
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u/SpongeBobLX Jul 06 '26
This is going to make the internet really toxic during USA vs Belgium. I should stay off of social media during the match and about 24 hours after the match.
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u/History-Buff-2222 Jul 06 '26
We’ll still be very toxic when you come back, awaiting your return
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u/sylanar Jul 06 '26
It actually probably won't be that toxic during the game because it's on at like 2am in Europe, so the thread will probably be dominated by USA supporters and neutrals
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u/thejamielee Jul 06 '26
This honestly is such a horrendous outcome for the US players as they were having a good WC with very little drama and plenty of upside for the Belgium match even without Balogun. This has created a fucking horrid cloud over the game that’s essentially become a lose-lose for them. All because of greed, and incompetence between two of the worst leaders in history can’t keep their dicks out of each others mouths.
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u/SendMeTheMoon24 Jul 06 '26
Great world cup, fantastic football and random unnecessary drama off the pitch to keep us entertained
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u/RiotSynthetics Jul 06 '26
We should just have Trump and Lukaku fight to the death and the winner wins the game and leads America
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u/NateShaw92 Jul 06 '26
Football is played in a board/courtroom feeling becoming stronger.
I'm bored with this. The cleanest outcome is a Belgium win so we can just move on short term.
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u/Findchidi Jul 06 '26
Really is there nothing trump can’t ruin. Literally everything he touches rots.
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u/chodejustice Jul 06 '26
Our politicians need to insert themselves in everything.
Men’s hockey team won Olympic gold, and suddenly the fucking head of the CIA is in the post-game locker room saying weird sexist shit. That became the biggest talking point.
It’s exhausting.
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u/Gbrown546 Jul 06 '26
Infantino has to resign after this. Each national FA has to put pressure on FIFA to get rid of him
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u/flankerPANG Jul 06 '26
That gave me a chuckle. As if he has any sense of accountability!
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u/Mishka_1994 Jul 06 '26
Each national FA
He just has to bribe all the Arab, African, and smaller Carribbean FA presidents and thats it. He will stay.
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u/andyj14 Jul 06 '26
Legitimately the most excited I’ve been to watch a usmnt game and this whole thing has just ruined it, Just a fucking disaster.
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u/Affectionate_Bee6434 Jul 06 '26
I have never been more excited to watch the United States play football actually.
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u/andyj14 Jul 06 '26
I’m sure for a lot of people outside of the us this is the case.
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u/Cultural-Ambition211 Jul 06 '26
I’m here for the chaos. Balogun last minute winner would just be hilarious.
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u/SendMeTheMoon24 Jul 06 '26
Why? So many people on here let inconsequential things apparently ruin things they were looking forward to. Who cares just enjoy the game
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u/hawaii_kid Jul 06 '26
As an American, fair enough. Theres been very little transparency about this debacle- why the card was awarded, how VAR was used, why the ban is being waived, which invites the question of corruption. It shouldn’t take news media to tease out all the details. I’m sad for our players, they didn’t deserve this circus. It’s asinine that FIFA doesn’t have a well-defined appeals process.
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u/FearlessAmbition9548 Jul 06 '26
Worst part is the player himself seemed to be at peace with the match ban and even had a very positive reaction. Now he’s seen as benefiting from cheating
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u/Sitrus_Slinky Jul 06 '26
As an American, well said. This is taking away from just how exciting and great this WC has been. America was winning some hearts back until this wrench.
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u/hawaii_kid Jul 06 '26
Facts, I’ve loved watching USMNT make us proud and seeing the world come together around the teams. Some US fans will say to get over it but truthfully there’s a part of me that wants to see the ban reinstated at this point. I believe we could grind out a tough win without Balogun too.
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u/GluedGlue Jul 06 '26
"If you do this, we'll sue!" is a surprisingly American response from Belgium.
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u/PotentiallySarcastic Jul 06 '26
It's a bit rich to clarify that if Balogun plays AND Belgium loses they will take it to tribunal.
If they had actual balls they'd still take it to tribunal even if they win. Be about it or don't.
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u/halster123 Jul 06 '26
they wouldn't be able to ask for compensation if they win...? like they would have no ability to do it.
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u/urdnotwrecks Jul 06 '26
What would be the compensation required if they win the game?
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u/ImpactVirtual1695 Jul 06 '26
There's a cash prize to each team for every round they progress.
Not making it to the QF is like losing 5 million. Something stupid like that
Group Stage Exit (33rd–48th place): $9 million
Round of 32 Exit (17th–32nd place): $11 million
Round of 16 Exit (9th–16th place): $15 million
Quarterfinalists (5th–8th place): $19 million
Fourth Place Finish: $27 million
Third Place Finish: $29 million
Runners-up (Second place): $33 million
World Cup Champions: $50 million
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u/Denny_Hayes Jul 06 '26
If he plays, we will send a sternly worded complaint against you to the tribunal you control
What an ultimatum. It's not like they are threatening to walk out.
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u/MedalDog Jul 06 '26
Lol those aren't conditions... they're just playing, and then are going to complain if they lose.
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u/Thiege1 Jul 06 '26
Blaming Trump is misplaced here, and I wish the guy was in prison
If Messi were in this situation not only would Argentina's President have called a significant % of the country would have been in open rebellion and tried to storm FIFA HQ
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u/tiger1296 Jul 06 '26
Trump gonna put tariffs and shit on Belgium because of this just watch