Belgium 'surprised' by FIFA's Folarin Balogun ban U-turn at World Cup, says Youri Tielemans
Belgium 'surprised' by FIFA's Folarin Balogun ban U-turn at World Cup, says Youri Tielemans
Youri Tielemans has admitted Belgium were left bewildered when FIFA reversed Folarin Balogun's automatic suspension ahead of the United States' last-16 World Cup exit at the hands of the Red Devils.
Tielemans, who joined Manchester United from Aston Villa this summer, was part of the Belgium side that swept aside the co-hosts 4-1 in Seattle. But the knockout tie was overshadowed by the availability of Balogun, the U.S. forward who had been sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round-of-32.
The 25-year-old received a straight red card, only for FIFA's disciplinary committee to suspend the sanction and make him eligible to face Belgium in the next round. U.S. President Donald Trump later said he had called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for the case to be reviewed. Balogun subsequently started for Mauricio Pochettino's side in the last-16 game.
'We were surprised'
"Originally we were surprised by the decision to revert the red card and his suspension," Tielemans said of the episode. "For us, it did not really change anything other than the preparation leading up to the game because it is a different type of player than the other player that was meant to play. But other than that, we were very calm and we just accepted our fate and tried to have a good game."
When Romelu Lukaku scored Belgium's fourth goal, the squad's feelings on the matter became impossible to miss. The striker performed a 'we can't hear you' cupped-ear celebration, followed by the team mimicking President Trump in a dance — first on the pitch and then again in the dressing room. The Belgian national team later posted a social media clip making fun of the situation.
Overturn this. 🧏♂️ #USABEL
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) July 7, 2026
'An injustice'
After the match, several Belgium players addressed the controversy when questioned in the mixed zone. Midfielder Nicolas Raskin called the Balogun decision an injustice, Dodi Lukebakio said he did not understand it, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said Belgium had been disrespected.
Tielemans was asked whether Belgium's celebrations indicated the decision had fired up his side. "Yeah, I think that is part of the game," he said. "The celebrations afterwards were … yeah, were nice and funny and it was all good."