‘Justice is served’: Donald Trump mocked after United States loss

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Donald Trump

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump holds the FIFA World Cup Trophy, as he makes an announcement on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as FIFA president Gianni Infantino stands next to him, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 22, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

The United States Men’s National Team got a significant boost on Sunday when FIFA announced that striker Folarin Balogun would be eligible to play in Monday’s match against Belgium in the round of 16 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite his red card in the previous round.

The unprecedented move came after United States President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask for a review of the foul and the suspension, sparking widespread outrage from the sports community. Unfortunately for the United States, it didn’t help, as the USMNT lost 4-1 to Belgium, and Trump was mocked on social media as a result.

During the knockout round match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina last week, Balogun was issued a red card by VAR after he stepped on an opponent’s leg and ankle while fighting for an incoming ball.

With the red card, Balogun was sent off from the match, meaning the United States was left with 10 men for the remainder of the match. Even more significantly, a red card carries an automatic suspension for the next match, meaning that Balogun would be unavailable for the team’s round of 16 against Belgium.

However, in a highly unusual move, FIFA announced on Sunday that his punishment for the red card had been suspended, citing Article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, which FIFA also used to suspend the two-match suspension for Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo before the beginning of the World Cup.

The unprecedented move sparked widespread outrage throughout the sports world, especially after it was reported that Trump called Infantino to request a review of the foul and Balogun’s suspension. Some Americans have even claimed that they would root for Belgium over the United States as a result of the controversy.

Despite Balogun returning to the lineup, the United States had a disappointing showing against Belgium, falling by a score of 4-1.

The United States managed just two shots on goal in the match, one of which came on a free kick from Malik Tillman. Conversely, Belgium had seven shots on goal, with four of them finding the back of the net.

The United States actually held possession for 57% of the match and had a better pass completion percentage and more completed passes, but that didn’t lead to more goals.

Given Trump’s role in FIFA’s decision to suspend Balogun’s punishment, it did not take long for Trump to be mocked on social media following the team’s loss.

“U.S. men playing their worst game by far right after Trump and FIFA bust out the corruption lol. Reads like a parable,” one person wrote in a post on X.

“Everything, everything, EVERYTHING he touches dies,” someone else wrote.

“Goes to one Knicks game and they lose for the literal first time in 2 months. Calls the head of FIFA to make him overturn a red card and then the US loses in one of the worst matches of the tournament. No one does it like him, it’s actually amazing,” someone else added.

“Haven’t seen America this thoroughly embarrassed on the world stage since we lost that war we started with Iran like 3 weeks ago,” another fan added.

“Getting dogwalked by a washed Belgium after getting the president to rig the game, maybe the most embarrassing performance of this tournament,” someone else said.

“Ouch. Trump curse in full effect like with the Knicks,” another fan added.

“The most humiliating goal you can ever concede in the most important match in your country’s history. Trump and the USA have earned their humiliation ritual. Justice is served,” someone else wrote.

“Literally unironically no joke zero doubt in my mind: Trump’s fault,” another commenter said.

“So that phone call from Trump and getting the red card overturned effectively killed the US’ whole tournament? The irony has never been so sweet,” someone else commented.

“I swear the Trump intervention had the countereffect and only made Belgium even more fired up because they are moving like crazy at the start of this game and they were bang average all tournament lol,” another fan wrote.

It’s safe to say that things did not go the way Trump had hoped.

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