Belgium mock USA with 'Overturn This' post after World Cup exit
Synopsis
Belgium beat the USA, then posted 'Overturn this' — a two-word takedown aimed squarely at the Balogun red-card reversal that drew condemnation from UEFA and the Belgian FA. With Trump reportedly lobbying for the ban to be lifted, the off-field drama only seemed to sharpen Belgium's focus on the night.
Key Takeaways
Belgium eliminated co-host USA from the FIFA World Cup in the round of 16 on 7 July .
Charles De Ketelaere scored a first-half double to seal the victory.
Belgium's official social media account posted 'Overturn this' with celebration pictures, referencing the Folarin Balogun red-card controversy.
Football's global governing body had suspended Balogun's one-match ban ahead of the tie; UEFA condemned the move as crossing 'a red line'.
US President Donald Trump reportedly lobbied for Balogun's red card to be overturned.
USA became the third and final co-host — after Canada and Mexico — to exit the tournament.
Belgium eliminated co-host USA from the FIFA World Cup on 7 July, then fired a pointed two-word broadside on social media — 'Overturn this' — accompanied by pictures of jubilant celebrations, in a direct reference to the Folarin Balogun red-card controversy that had overshadowed the build-up to the round-of-16 tie.
The Balogun Red-Card Row
Ahead of the last-16 clash, football's global governing body suspended the one-match ban imposed on US striker Folarin Balogun, which he had received for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic during the round-of-32 victory. The reversal prompted immediate backlash. The Belgian Football Association issued statements expressing 'astonishment' at the decision, while European football's governing body UEFA condemned the ruling, saying it had 'crossed a red line' and could have negative consequences for the game as a whole. It also emerged that US President Donald Trump had lobbied for Balogun's red card to be overturned.
Belgium's Response on the Pitch
Belgium captain Youri Tielemans said the controversy had galvanised his squad. 'Let's be honest: we held a meeting when we heard the news. We told ourselves we needed to do our talking on the pitch. That's what we did today. I'm very proud of the team,' Tielemans said after the final whistle. The Belgians delivered emphatically, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring a first-half double to seal the win and send the Americans home.
USA Become Third Co-Host Eliminated
The result made the USA the third and final co-host nation to exit the tournament, following Canada and Mexico, who had already been knocked out in the round of 16. The early exits of all three host nations mark a historically poor showing for a co-hosted World Cup on home soil.
What Comes Next for Belgium
Belgium will face Spain — who eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal — in the quarterfinals at Los Angeles Stadium on 11 July. The tie sets up a heavyweight European contest deep in the knockout stages of a tournament hosted on American soil.
Point of View
On home soil, during a tournament the USA co-hosts, is a governance story the sport cannot afford to brush aside. UEFA's 'red line' language is unusually sharp for a governing body that tends toward diplomatic understatement. Whether football's global body faces any structural accountability for the reversal — or whether this becomes a precedent — is the question that outlasts Belgium's quarterfinal run.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Belgium post 'Overturn this' on social media?
Belgium posted 'Overturn this' after eliminating the USA from the FIFA World Cup on 7 July, as a direct reference to the controversial reversal of Folarin Balogun's one-match ban ahead of the tie. The post was accompanied by pictures of the team's celebrations.
What was the Folarin Balogun red-card controversy?
Balogun received a red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in the round of 32. Football's global governing body later suspended his resulting one-match ban, allowing him to play against Belgium — a decision that drew condemnation from UEFA and the Belgian Football Association.
Did Donald Trump intervene in the Balogun ban decision?
According to reports, US President Donald Trump lobbied for Balogun's red card to be overturned ahead of the USA's round-of-16 match against Belgium.
Who scored for Belgium against the USA?
Charles De Ketelaere scored twice in the first half to give Belgium the win and send the USA out of the FIFA World Cup.
Who will Belgium play in the quarterfinals?
Belgium will face Spain at Los Angeles Stadium on 11 July. Spain reached the quarterfinals by eliminating Portugal.
