‘We have been disrespected here in the United States’: Belgium goalkeeper breaks his silence on Donald Trump incident

Monday night’s World Cup round of 16 showdown between the United States and Belgium had some added drama thanks in large part to United States President Donald Trump inserting himself into a controversial FIFA decision that allowed United States striker Folarin Balogun to play in the match despite receiving a red card in the previous match.

Belgium responded to the situation by thoroughly dominating the United States on Monday night, winning by a final score of 4-1 and eliminating the Americans from the tournament. After the win, Belgium’s superstar goalkeeper has broken his silence on both the win and the drama leading up to the match.

Donald Trump got involved

On Sunday afternoon, FIFA announced that Balogun, who was expected to miss the match against Belgium with an automatic suspension after receiving a red card in the previous match, would actually be eligible to play after FIFA suspended his punishment.

The unprecedented move sparked widespread outrage, especially once Trump confirmed that he called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the foul and Balogun’s punishment, resulting in some Americans even throwing their support behind Belgium.

Belgium was especially outspoken in its dissent, even warning the United States that if Balogun was in the lineup on Monday, that would leave “all further actions open.”

Belgium manager Rudi Garcia went as far as to compare the decision to April Fools’ Day during his pre-match press conference.

“I didn’t know that July 5 was equal to April 1 at FIFA,” Garcia said in French, through an interpreter.

“We’re not defending the national team or federation,” Garcia continued. “We’re defending in football. … It’s the first time in World Cup history that such a decision is taken. I am a head coach, I will focus on my team, on tomorrow’s game. Regardless of the 11 starting players from the U.S., I will focus on my team.”

‘We have been disrespected’

Following Monday night’s match, Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois – widely regarded as one of the top goalkeepers in the world – addressed the victory over the United States and all the drama in the lead-up, admitting that the team felt “disrespected.”

“In recent days, we have been disrespected here in the United States,” Courtois said, via USMNT Only on X. “It was being said that they could beat us easily, but I think today we showed that we are a good team. We played a great match.”

Courtois explained Belgium’s aggressive strategy for the match and wondered if the team’s 5-2 win over the United States just weeks ago was impacting the United States’ confidence.

“We wanted to pin the United States back from the start and tried to create chances. Then they started to doubt themselves. Perhaps the 2-5 defeat against us in the friendly was affecting them.”

Courtois went on to explain that he felt Senegal, which Belgium defeated in the round of 32 before facing the United States, “has a better team” than the Americans.

“I read about [the Folarin Balogun red card] and it amused me,” he said. “I understand that they want to generate excitement around the United States, but today I had more confidence in our victory than against Senegal, which has a better team than the United States.”

Belgium mocked Donald Trump

If there was any question about how Belgium felt about Trump’s involvement in Balogun’s overturned red card suspension, it was answered in the closing moments of the game.

Following Belgium’s final goal, the team gathered together and mocked Trump by performing the iconic dance that he has regularly performed at his rallies and speeches over the years. The team then continued to mock Trump in the locker room, performing the dance again.

Lmao even better….the Belgium team kept trolling Trump in their locker room after destroying and humiliating the USMNT in Seattle….absolutely delightful! pic.twitter.com/1DiDKZOyXFhttps://t.co/ch0C60F8AV

— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) July 7, 2026

Clearly, Belgium felt disrespected and was not happy with Trump’s involvement in the match, and they have not been shy about making that known.

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