World Cup 2026 results: U.S. eliminated from World Cup in lopsided 4

U.S. eliminated from World Cup in lopsided 4-1 defeat to Belgium

Belgium will face Spain, which downed Portugal on a late goal in the round of 16.

Romelu Lukaku celebrates with teammates Monday after scoring Belgium's fourth goal against the U.S. in the World Cup round of 16 in Seattle. Jared C. Tilton / FIFA via Getty Images

In the day or so leading up to the U.S.-vs.-Belgium game in the round of 16, a worldwide debate was underway about FIFA’s allowing Folarin Balogun to play for the U.S., even though he was shown a red card in his last match. In the end, no one, not even Balogun, could help the U.S. advance in the World Cup.

Belgium scored its first goal less than 10 minutes into the game in Seattle and kept attacking the U.S. end and goalkeeper Matt Freese until it had scored three times more. Belgium defeated the U.S. 4-1 to advance to the quarterfinals, where it will face Spain on Friday.

For the U.S., its World Cup once again ends in the round of 16, a disappointing end to a tournament that started with such promise. The Americans haven’t made the quarterfinals since 2002.

“From the beginning, we didn’t connect with the game,” Mauricio Pochettino, the U.S. coach, said on the Fox telecast.

The U.S. really had only one bright spot on the day. With the U.S. down 1-0, midway through the first half, Balogun drew a foul just outside the box. Malik Tillman stepped up and coolly scored on the free kick, his shot deflecting into the net off a Belgian player who was jumping as part of a wall. Tillman had scored on a free kick in the round of 32, as well.

The Americans had finally shown some life, but Belgium responded about two minutes later, as Charles De Ketelaere scored on a header on a cross into the box.

In the second half, things only got worse for the Americans. In the 57th minute, Freese made a critical error. He came way out of the goal to play a ball, only to lose possession and allow Belgium’s Hans Vanaken to score. Shortly after, the Americans’ leader, Christian Pulisic, was subbed out of the game with an apparent injury.

In stoppage time, Romelu Lukaku tacked on the final goal to seal the Americans’ fate.

"Was this a success? I think this team did win hearts and minds. I think this team did bring people into the tent. They should be clearly proud of that," the former national team player said on the Fox broadcast. "But there’s also part of me that says the time for moral victories is over. We’ve left something on the table here. That to me is disappointing.”

Mauricio Pochettino unhappy with team's play

"From the beginning, we didn’t connect with the game," he said in a postgame interview on Fox.

U.S. players left stunned at the end of their World Cup run

After the final whistle at Lumen Field, Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun remained seated in the dugout for several beats, Balogun pulling his shirt over his mouth and nose to disguise his expression. Chris Richards fell to his knees, his forehead on the ground. This was a golden opportunity for the U.S. to continue its best World Cup run in a generation, only for it to fall flat.

Romelu Lukaku, No. 9, celebrates with teammates after scoring Belgium's fourth goal. Jared C. Tilton / FIFA via Getty Images

The U.S. run ends in the round of 16 with a loss to a European power. The Americans were hoping to make the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. Instead, Belgium will advance and play Spain in the quarterfinals.

The U.S. had a brief moment of hope in the first half, when Malik Tillman scored on a free kick to tie the game 1-1. But Belgium responded with a goal about two minutes later. It added a crucial third goal in the 57th minute, when U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese made a mental error, losing possession of the ball when he was way out of the box, which allowed Hans Vanaken to send in a relatively easy goal. In stoppage time, Romelu Lukaku scored Belgium's fourth goal to remove all doubt about this one.

Romelu Lukaku scores, makes it 4-1 Belgium

That will do it for the U.S. as Lukaku scores past a diving U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese. After allowing just one goal in the World Cup entering this game, Freese has allowed four today.

The Americans are still down 3-1 and are running out of time.

Chris Richards makes heroic block in the box

Belgium seemed to nearly have a fourth goal. But as the Belgian shot came through the box, Chris Richards, the U.S. defender, stood tall and blocked the ball off his upper body.

Folarin Balogun misses point-blank chance

In the 82nd minute, Balogun made a run down the left side and found himself essentially one-on-one with the Belgian goalkeeper. Balogun took a shot, but Thibaut Courtois came up with the save — his first of the game.

That was only the Americans' second shot on goal.

Sebastian Berhalter rips a shot just wide of the goal

The Americans are showing some fight here. Sebastian Berhalter, who came on to replace Christian Pulisic, just had the ball come to him in the middle of the field, near the top of the box. He batted the ball to himself and then volleyed it toward the goal, but it curled just wide of the post.

Seventy-five minutes in: U.S. has only one shot on goal

It was Malik Tillman's free kick that resulted in the Americans' only goal today. We'll see whether they can put a little more pressure on the Belgian goal.

Another U.S. substitution, with Tyler Adams going off

Searching for any kind of a spark, the U.S. has made another substitution this half with Tyler Adams coming off and Ricardo Pepi taking his place in the 72nd minute.

U.S. has about 20 minutes to score two goals

Now we're at the second-half hydration break. We'll see whether the U.S. can find two more goals. Let's not forget: The Americans will have to muster those goals without Christian Pulisic, who was subbed out in the second half with an apparent injury.

Moments before the hydration break, Tillman just appeared to body-check a Belgian player in an attempt to slow his momentum, and he was shown a yellow card.

Belgium brings on its closers: Romelu Lukaku and Jérémy Doku

Belgium is bringing on Doku, the Manchester City forward, and Lukaku, who's considered one of the best Belgium players of this generation. Both of them are threats to score. What a luxury for Belgium, bringing on added firepower with the hydration break nearly upon us.

Mistake by U.S. goalkeeper leads to 3-1 deficit

Hans Vanaken and teammates celebrate Belgium's third goal. Maja Hitij - FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images

The U.S. World Cup run could be alive for only a half-hour longer.

Belgium has taken a 3-1 lead after a mistake by goalkeeper Matt Freese. Freese paused trying to clear the ball, even though Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere was only a stride behind him. The pause gave De Ketelaere enough time to poke the ball away from behind to teammate Hans Vanaken, who lobbed a long shot over Freese and past a leaping Tim Ream for a goal in the 57th minute. Freese is known for his heady play and his Harvard study of goalkeeping, but that decision was head-shaking.

Christian Pulisic subbed out, replaced by Sebastian Berhalter

Pulisic, the heart and soul of the U.S. team, is out of the game. He appeared to be moving gingerly after he struck the leg of a defender as he went to shoot. He's now being attended to on the sideline.

Sebastian Berhalter has replaced him.

Alex Freeman can't corral beautiful set-up pass; U.S. misses opportunity

Tyler Adams made a beautiful pass down the field, where Alex Freeman was running into open space, with multiple teammates sprinting into position in front of the goal. But Freeman couldn't handle the pass, and the ball went out of bounds, spoiling a seemingly good opportunity.

Christian Pulisic stays down, but no foul given

Christian Pulisic stays down on the pitch. Jared C. Tilton / FIFA via Getty Images

The U.S. No. 10 was down on the pitch for more than a minute in the 52nd minute. A Belgian defender appeared to reach the ball first near the 18-yard box, and Pulisic kicked the back of the defender's leg while appearing to get kicked near his own ankle, as well. Mauricio Pochettino made an appeal to referees for a foul, but play has resumed and Pulisic is back up and playing, although he appears hobbled.

Folarin Balogun had only 10 touches in first half

The U.S. striker is the team's leading scorer in the tournament, and obviously much was made about his being allowed to play today after FIFA suspended the one-game suspension he was given for receiving a red card in the round of 32. We'll see whether he can make an impact in the second half.

Sergiño Dest has been taken off at halftime, with the U.S. replacing him with Gio Reyna. The U.S. defensive back line that struggled to contain Belgium throughout the first half remains the same, however.

Can the U.S. find an equalizer?

The stadium in Seattle. Alex Pantling / FIFA via Getty Images

Belgium has been the aggressor. It has taken five shots on goal, which produced two goals from Charles De Ketelaere, while the U.S. has recorded only one shot on goal, a Malik Tillman free kick that deflected off a Belgium player's head as he jumped as part of a wall and into the net.

Belgium leads the U.S. in expected goals 1.90 vs. 0.42.

Six minutes of stoppage time in the first half

Can the U.S. build some momentum going into the break?

Belgium's Dodi Lukébakio misses great chance with a header

Belgium just looped the ball into the box on a free kick, and Lukébakio got his head on it. But he sent the ball wide of the goal. Belgium has been attacking the U.S. goal relentlessly.

Once rocking, Seattle's stadium now largely silent

Lumen Field, the home of the "12th Man," the nickname given to the rabid supporters of the Seattle Seahawks, is famous for its loud crowds, and this stadium was never louder today than after Malik Tillman's free kick deflected off Belgium's Hans Vanaken for a goal in the 31st minute to tie the match at 1. But ever since Belgium scored just a minute later, it has become eerily quiet. The Red Devils have completely taken the crowd out of the game.

Belgium responds about two minutes later, retakes lead 2-1

Charles De Ketelaere heads to score Belgium's second goal. Alex Grimm / Getty Images

Well, that didn't last long. Belgium just scored to retake the lead. Belgium's Leandro Trossard crossed the ball into the box, and Charles De Ketelaere elevated and headed it into the net for his second goal of the match.

Afterward, U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino kicked a group of water bottles on the bench in disgust.

Malik Tillman scores on another free kick, ties game!

U.S. striker Folarin Balogun drew a foul in the middle of the field, just outside the box, and Malik Tillman stepped up to take the free kick. Remember, Tillman scored on a free kick in the round of 32 against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

This time, he coolly scored again. Belgium formed a wall in front of Tillman, and its players jumped as Tillman sent the ball in. But it backfired for them. The ball deflected off a Belgium player's head and into the net.

Belgium’s Amadou Onana subbed out with apparent injury

Belgium's Amadou Onana lies on the field after an injury. Maddy Grassy / AP

Play was momentarily stopped as Belgium's Amadou Onana was checked for an injury. He was subbed out in favor of Hans Vanaken.

Fans booing Belgium's stalling tactic

Belgium has shown that it will attack, but only on its terms.

For repeatedly passing the ball back and forth between its back-line defenders and goalkeeper, winding down the clock with every pass, Belgium has been booed over and over by the heavily pro-U.S. crowd here.

Freese finally facing pressure against Belgium

U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese had been having a relatively quiet World Cup up until this point. He had started three games (with Matt Turner starting the final group stage match against Turkey), and in those starts, he allowed only one goal while making five saves, including three against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32.

Belgium came out pressuring Freese today, forcing him to make two early saves. On the goal he just allowed, he raised his hand, looking for an offside call, as Belgium crossed the ball right in front of his net. But the offside call never came.

In the early going, Belgium has taken eight shots. And the U.S.? Zero.

Belgium takes the lead after just eight minutes

Charles De Ketelaere scores Belgium's team's first goal. David Ramos / Getty Images

Belgium's passing in the back of the U.S. defense nearly led to a goal in the seventh minute but led to a clear whiff. But within a minute, Belgium didn't miss its next opportunity, when the U.S. failed to clear the ball and Charles De Ketelaere stepped in to tap in a shot from close range.

It's 1-0 Belgium — and the scoreboard just showed FIFA President Gianni Infantino watching from a suite here.

A diving stop saves early Belgian goal

U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese dived to his right in only the first minute to save a hard shot from well outside the 18-yard box from Belgium's Timothy Castagne. That was as quickly as the U.S. has been threatened in any of its previous four matches in this tournament.

The U.S. vs. Belgium round-of-16 match is underway!

Can the U.S. advance to the quarterfinals? The winner of this one gets Spain next.

Balogun's inclusion in U.S. starters gets huge roar from fans

The stadium erupted in cheers a half-hour before kickoff when Folarin Balogun's name was announced among the U.S. starters. To no one's surprise, the crowd here is almost entirely pro-U.S.

Third time the U.S. has used this lineup

The lineup the U.S. will start tonight is the same one that started against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32 on Wednesday, and it's the third time it has been used in this tournament overall. According to U.S. Soccer, this is the first time since the 1930 World Cup that the U.S. has used the same lineup in three matches during a single World Cup.

Here's the full lineup for today's match vs. Belgium.

In Seattle, rowdy atmosphere awaits U.S.-Belgium

I've been to U.S. matches at this World Cup in Los Angeles and the Bay Area, where fans have wandered in through large parking lots. The atmosphere in Seattle has been the best outside the stadium by far, as thousands of fans trickle toward the stadium from downtown Seattle, with restaurants open to the street and deep lines of fans waiting to get food and drinks before kickoff.

Fans of the U.S. and Belgium before the match in Seattle. Alex Pantling / FIFA via Getty Images

When Spain beat Portugal earlier today, fans in U.S. and Belgium kits erupted in the streets, knowing that the winner of today's match will face Spain next in a quarterfinal in Los Angeles.

FIFA Disciplinary Committee insists on its independence after Balogun criticism

The chair of FIFA's independent disciplinary committee outlined its decision-making process in choosing to suspend Balogun's one-game ban.

"Reviewing the legal consequences of red cards in football is nothing new in the modern game," the committee chair said in a statement.

It said that a proceeding was opened the day after the U.S. played Bosnia-Herzegovina and that the decision to issue a red card was upheld. Balogun was also found to have violated the rules by going back onto the pitch to celebrate with his teammates after he had been ejected from the game.

But the decision to suspend his subsequent one-match ban was described as a "measured" approach. The statement added that a similar implementation of the rule under Article 27 of its bylaws had already been put into effect for the 2026 World Cup, most likely referring to a decision to suspend a three 3-match ban against Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.

The statement did not mention Trump or any outside pressure. It emphasized its members fulfill “the independence criteria as defined in the FIFA Governance Regulations to ensure their impartiality.”

After Norway's Erling Haaland scored twice yesterday, we have a three-way tie atop of the leaderboard for the Golden Boot, which is awarded to the World Cup's top scorer. England's Harry Kane also scored yesterday and is not far behind. Here are the current standings:

1. (tie) Argentina's Lionel Messi: 7 goals

1. (tie) France's Kylian Mbappé: 7 goals

1. (tie) Norway's Erling Haaland: 7 goals

4. England's Harry Kane: 6 goals

Then there are a bunch of players who have scored four goals, including England's Jude Bellingham, Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal and France's Ousmane Dembélé.

Spain hasn't allowed a goal in five World Cup matches

Spain's defense and goalkeeping has been superb this tournament, as it hasn't allowed a goal through its first five games. Here are the results for Spain so far, before it faces the winner of U.S. vs. Belgium in the quarterfinals.

Group stage: Spain ties Cape Verde, 0-0

Group stage: Spain beats Saudi Arabia, 4-0

Group stage: Spain beats Uruguay, 1-0

Round of 32: Spain beats Austria, 3-0

Round of 16: Spain beats Portugal, 1-0

Watch: Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo react to Spain's late go-ahead goal

Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the World Cup with a ‘clear conscience’

Cristiano Ronaldo today after the team's 0-1 defeat in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain. Ryan Pierse / FIFA via Getty Images

Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo said yesterday that this would be his final World Cup. With the loss to Spain, Ronaldo’s World Cup career has come to a close. He first appeared in the tournament in 2006, when Portugal finished fourth in Germany.

While Ronaldo this year became the first player to score in six World Cups, he never re-created the success of his first tournament, as Portugal has not made it beyond the quarterfinals in 20 years.

“Whatever happens tomorrow, Cristiano will leave with a clear conscience,” Ronaldo said. “Not 100%, but 1,000%. Because I’ve given everything in football. I don’t need it, I have a good life, but it’s about passion. I play football because I love it.”

And that’s a wrap on Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career.

Spain wins after a Mikel Merino goal in the first minute of stoppage time in the second half. Spain, one of the tournament favorites, was the better side for most of the day and finally broke through late.

Portugal comes inches from an equalizer

Bernardo Silva nearly tied the match up, but his header off a cross was too powerful, sailing over the crossbar.

Yellow card for Portugal's Renato Veiga

Veiga gets a card for dragging down Lamine Yamal.

Goal! Spain finally breaks through!

Mere seconds into stoppage time, Spain has taken the lead. Off a pass from Rodri, Mikel Merino slid past the defense into the left side of the box and easily beat Diogo Costa for the game’s first goal.

Yellow card for Portugal’s Bernardo Silva

Silva gets carded after a rough challenge on Mikel Merino.

Ten minutes to go until stoppage time

Will we get a goal before extra time?

Portugal's Bruno Fernandes hits the side of the net

Fernandes was set up for a volley from the right side of the box, and while he kept the shot low, he couldn’t put it on target, shooting on the wrong side of the post into the side of the net.

Lamine Yamal’s free kick for Spain easily pushed aside

Coming out of the break, Yamal had a free kick outside the right corner of the box. He tried to put the ball on goal, but Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa rather easily pushed it above the crossbar.

Here are some stats from the first 70 minutes of action

The second-half hydration break is here

We’re still scoreless midway through the second half, as neither side has really cut it loose so far. It’s been a tentative match, especially compared to last night’s Mexico vs. England showdown, for example.

Another save for Portugal’s Diogo Costa

This was a relatively easy one for Costa. Álex Baena turned around after a takeaway and tried to unleash a quick shot, but it ended up being a dribbler that was quietly handled.

Spain’s Pedri nearly breaks the tie

Pedri had a great chance from the top of the box, but as soon as he let the ball go off his foot, Renato Veiga slid in front of him to deflect the shot out of bounds.

Nuno Mendes is leaving with an injury

Perhaps Portugal’s best defender, Nuno Mendes is leaving this match with some kind of injury. Mendes was being tended to on the pitch before he went to the sideline and removed his jersey. Mendes had been tasked with slowing down Spain's superstar Lamine Yamal.

Nélson Semedo is coming on in Mendes’s place.

Watch: Portugal's Pedro Neto playing with broken cleat?

In the first half, a close-up on Neto revealed he appeared to have a hole in the back of his shoe? Take a closer look for yourself.

Portugal's Pedro Neto can’t connect with Cristiano Ronaldo

Neto made a great run down the right side of the field, but his attempt to cross the ball to Ronaldo on the left side of the box failed, and Neto put the ball too far in front and Ronaldo couldn’t catch up.

The second half between Portugal and Spain is underway!

Let’s see which side strikes first.

We’re scoreless after the first half. Though Portugal turned up the heat after the hydration break, Spain leads in expected goals: 0.98 to 0.26.

Goalkeeper Diogo Costa has been the man of the match so far, making massive saves for Portugal.

Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa saves a shot by Spain's Álex Baena today. Ashley Landis / AP

Portugal has been the more attacking side over the last few minutes of the half. Let’s see if it can finally break through.

A Nuno Mendes shot hits the woodwork!

A left-footed shot from Portugal's Nuno Mendes from the right side of the box bounced off Pedro Porro and hit the underside of the crossbar. A bullet dodged for Spain.

What a diving stop from Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón

Portugal just had a great chance to score. A rebound off a João Félix shot found its way to Cristiano Ronaldo, who tried to flick the ball into the goal with the top of his right foot. Simón miraculously scrambled back into position to dive and stop Ronaldo’s shot from going into the goal.

Under 10 minutes to go until stoppage time

No great chances since the hydration break. Let’s see if either side can break the scoreless tie before halftime.

Spain unbeaten in its last 34 matches

It's the second-longest streak in the country's history. If Spain were to win or record a draw today, it would tie its longest unbeaten streak. But Spain will have to solve Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa in order to do that.

Fun match so far, with Cristiano Ronaldo already recording a shot on goal while Diogo Costa has made some big saves for Portugal. Both sides have found moments to attack.

Pair of great chances for Spain

First, Lamine Yamal danced his way into the box before his left-footed shot was saved by Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Álex Baena was waiting for the rebound on the opposite side of the box, but his shot was also pushed aside by Costa.

Ronaldo takes his first shot, is denied by keeper

After a takeaway and pass from Bruno Fernandes, Cristiano Ronaldo was running down the right side of the box, but his tight-angle shot was saved by Spain's goalkeeper, Unai Simón.

How did Mikel Oyarzabal miss that?

Wow, what a missed opportunity for Spain.

Off a perfect pass from Dani Olmo that left him running free behind the defense, Mikel Oyarzabal had a one-on-one against the goalkeeper from the left side of the box, but his shot missed wide right of the net.

Portugal vs. Spain has kicked off!

Will this be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup appearance? Or can he help propel Portugal to another victory?

Photos: Ronaldo leads his team onto the pitch for warmups

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo leads the team onto the field before their match against Spain today in Dallas. Florencia Tan Jun / Getty Images

Ronaldo warms up with teammates. Hannah Peters / FIFA via Getty Images

Portuguese fans hold up a banner depicting Ronaldo as a saint. Thomas Coex / AFP via Getty Images

Here’s the starting 11 for Spain

Lamine Yamal is all systems go one week before his 19th birthday.

Here’s the starting 11 for Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo could be starting his final World Cup match today.

Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo arrives for Portugal vs. Spain match

If Portugal were to lose, this would presumably be the last time we see the 41-year-old Ronaldo play in a World Cup match.

FIFA Appeal Committee denies Belgium's request over Folarin Balogun ruling

After the FIFA Disciplinary Committee ruled that Folarin Balogun, the U.S. striker who received a red card in its last match, would be cleared to play against Belgium in the round of 16, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) submitted a request to the FIFA Appeal Committee about the decision.

But FIFA announced today that the Appeal Committee found that Belgium's request was "inadmissible on the grounds that the RBFA is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision."

All eyes will be on Balogun tonight, as the U.S. and Belgium kick off at 8 p.m. ET.

Haaland's individual 'brilliance' carries Norway

Joe Prince-Wright shares his takeaways from Norway's upset win over Brazil to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals on the back of Erling Haaland's brace.

Haaland scores twice, leads Norway into quarterfinals

For much of Sunday afternoon, Norway’s 6-foot-5 superstar Erling Haaland roamed the field, biding his time against Brazil, waiting for his moment to strike. He stood about a half-foot taller than most of the Brazilians. But they swarmed and bottled him up until the 79th minute, when his chance came in an instant.

Norway’s Andreas Schjelderup chipped the ball toward the goal from the left side, and Haaland leaped, swung his neck and headed it into the net, outjumping Brazil’s 6-foot-3 defender Gabriel Magalhães, his Premier League nemesis.

During the celebration, Haaland played it cool, looking into the crowd with a sly smile. Schjelderup jumped on his back, and the rest of the Norway team began to mob him. Once the excitement had died down, the team gathered in a circle and a player went up to Haaland, grabbed the back of his neck and kissed his cheek.

Belgium is appealing FIFA's decision to reverse a red card assessed to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. This comes after President Donald Trump said he called FIFA President Gianni Infantino and asked for a review. NBC News’ Gabe Gutierrez reports that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also started making calls to see if the administration could get the red card reversed.

Brazil loses in round of 16, makes its earliest exit from the World Cup since 1990

The scenes were hard to watch inside New York/New Jersey Stadium yesterday as Brazilian fans were seen in tears toward the end of the match, many leaving early in a sign of complete resignation.

The 2-1 defeat against Norway marked Brazil’s earliest World Cup exit since a round of 16 knockout in 1990.

The players were seemingly just as despondent. Despite scoring the only goal for his team, Neymar, the 34-year-old legend, was visibly distraught at the end of what was likely to be his final World Cup. Endrick, the 19-year-old forward, was emotional, too. He fell to his knees after the final whistle, prompting his teammates to walk over to console him.

Trump says he asked FIFA to review U.S. soccer star Folarin Balogun’s suspension

President Donald Trump confirmed that he asked FIFA to review U.S. soccer player Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension before the organization reversed its decision, allowing the star striker to participate in tonight’s match.

“I asked for a review by FIFA,” Trump said, responding to a reporter’s question during an Oval Office event today. At the same time, the president said he had “nothing to do with the decision.”

Wolfe calls Haaland a 'cheat code' at World Cup

David Moller Wolfe speaks to the media and describes Erling Haaland as a cheat code after he scored twice to defeat Brazil in a World Cup match.

How the Trump administration leapt into action to reverse Folarin Balogun’s red card

In the minutes after the U.S. men’s national soccer team triumphed over Bosnia-Herzegovina, senior Trump administration officials kicked off an extraordinary behind-the-scenes push to reverse the red card shown to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, hoping to preserve his eligibility for a pivotal World Cup match against Belgium.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who attended the game in Santa Clara, California, and sat next to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, immediately started making phone calls to see what could be done about Balogun’s ban, according to two people familiar with the discussions. In the world of professional soccer, these kinds of appeals are exceedingly rare.