Belgium eliminated from World Cup after mocking Donald Trump, dominating United States
Belgium's national football team was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup by Spain shortly after defeating the United States. The match against the U.S. was marked by controversy regarding President Trump's intervention in player eligibility and Belgium's subsequent on-field mockery of the President.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the intersection of high-stakes international sports, political interference, and the potential for diplomatic friction during global events.
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect Dave Kelsey Fri, July 10, 2026 at 9:47 PM UTC · 3 min read On Monday night, Belgium was celebrating its most dominant match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after dismantling the United States by a final score of 4-1 and mocking President Donald Trump in the process. The cathartic win came after a day of drama surrounding Trump’s apparent involvement in securing eligibility for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun .
While Belgium was riding high at the time, its World Cup run did not last much longer as the team suffered a heartbreaking loss to Spain on Friday in the quarterfinal, ending its run through the tournament.
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