All posts tagged: Belgium vs USA

Belgium take a dig at USA after ending World Cup dream: ‘Overturn this’

Belgium take a dig at USA after ending World Cup dream: ‘Overturn this’

Published by Webster

Belgium ensured the final chapter of one of the World Cup’s biggest controversies was written on the pitch, thrashing co-hosts USA 4-1 in the Round of 16 before taking a pointed swipe at their opponents on social media. Moments after the win in Seattle, the Belgian national team’s official X account posted a blunt message: “Overturn this.” It was a clear reference to FIFA’s decision, less than 24 hours before kickoff, to suspend Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match ban after his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Overturn this. 🧏‍♂️ #USABEL pic.twitter.com/KcBAJp3Z7d — Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) July 7, 2026 The decision had sparked criticism across football. UEFA described it as “incomprehensible and unjustifiable”, while the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) vowed to “defend football” after FIFA rejected its appeal. The row dominated the build-up to the knockout tie. Balogun had been sent off in the USA’s final group-stage match, triggering an automatic suspension. Belgium prepared all week believing the striker would miss the game before FIFA reopened the case under Article 27 of its disciplinary …

Which version will turn up against the USA?

Which version will turn up against the USA?

Published by Webster

Romelu Lukaku mastered the art of deception when he was young. In 2026, Belgium reaching the World Cup round of 16 — where they will face the USA — feels almost routine. In 2002, it was anything but. Four years after the embarrassment of France ’98, Belgium emerged unbeaten from the group stage. Leading the lines were Marc Wilmots — whom the nation admired, and Mbo Mpenza — whom Lukaku admired, considering he was Belgium’s first black striker at a World Cup and, like Lukaku, had his roots in Congo. Students at an Antwerp school, hence, had only one topic to discuss during the summer of ’02 — the World Cup. They dissected Belgium’s performances, marvelled at Wilmots’ goals and discussed whether Brazil could be stopped. There was only one problem. Lukaku had not watched a single minute. His father might have played in the World Cup qualifiers and AFCON for Zaire, but there was barely any money to eat twice a day. Television, hence, was a luxury. His friends would not know that, though. …