Despite lingering controversy among Belgium’s sports authorities regarding their Round of 16 clash with the United States, Belgian fans in Washington appear to have moved on.
The focus on Folarin Balogun, the American striker whose red-card ban was lifted by FIFA just before the match, has significantly diminished.
Michael McCusker, originally from Brussels, commented on FIFA’s decision, saying, “I don’t think it had any impact on the game. Did it give us the extra push? I don’t know. The USA were terrible.”
The White House made significant efforts to ensure Balogun’s participation against Belgium, with President Donald Trump claiming credit for the suspension being overturned. The Royal Belgian Football Association challenged this decision, and many fans criticized FIFA’s reversal as being politically driven, suggesting it was influenced by Trump.
Nevertheless, even with Balogun in the lineup on Monday, Belgium dominated the U.S., maintaining the lead throughout. For Belgian fans in the Washington area, the victory seems to have resolved any lingering issues.
Margo Vandenbroucke, a native of Leuven working at the International Monetary Fund, shared, “I woke up that morning feeling really good. I walked into work that morning and everyone was clapping for me, for Belgium. I think that was the best way of showing that it didn’t matter.”
While Belgian fans abroad have seemingly moved past the Balogun incident, the issue remains contentious in Brussels. On Wednesday, 72 members of the European Parliament called for an inquiry into FIFA President Gianni Infantino and whether his association with Trump influenced the decision to overturn the on-field disciplinary action.
