Co-hosts the US have been knocked out of the football World Cup hours after a huge political row broke out following President Donald Trump’s claiming of credit for organizers FIFA overturning the suspension of star player Folarin Balogun.⁣ ⁣ FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the governing body's judicial bodies had operated “independently and autonomously” but the reversal of Balogun’s ban following his red card in the previous match sparked accusations that FIFA had bowed to political pressure. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said that it must be April Fool's Day and the country’s government also complained vociferously, along with European football chiefs.⁣ ⁣ Some of the victorious Belgium team claimed their feelings of injustice helped spur their 4-1 victory over the US, the worst World Cup result for the latter since 1990.⁣ ⁣ #worldcup #worldcup2026 #belgium #balogun #trump #infantino