Belgium reach the quarter-finals after a dominant win, while claims emerge over the handling of a player suspension appeal.
Image: Al Jazeera
Belgium defeated hosts the United States 4-1 in a major FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout match to secure their place in the quarter-finals. The game drew extra attention after US forward Balogun was initially facing a one-match suspension following a red card, but the suspension was reportedly delayed after intervention from US President Donald Trump, allowing him to feature.
Belgium had earlier challenged FIFA’s decision regarding the suspension, but the appeal was rejected. After the match, discussions grew over the fairness of the process, with reports suggesting Trump questioned the outcome and raised concerns about the match proceedings. Despite the controversy, Belgium’s performance on the pitch proved decisive as they produced a convincing victory over the tournament hosts.
