The United States’ 1-4 loss to Belgium in the FIFA World Cup’s round of 16 triggered a massive online debate after the match was shrouded in controversy over FIFA overturning U.S. Striker Folarin Balogun’s automatic suspension after Trump requested a “review.” Many, including Mary Trump, shared their opinions after the game. “The best U.S. men’s team ever loses to Belgium,” she wrote on X. “If they’d advanced, there would have been an asterisk next to their victory because of Donald’s interference.”
The psychologist, who is also a celebrated author and a vocal critic of the President, continued that his shadow looms large over everything. “He can only win if he cheats, and he thinks that applies to everybody else. Sad,” she concluded. The loss has sparked a backlash against Trump, whose interference has led many to question the integrity and credibility of the world’s most beloved game. Sports fans are calling it the “Trump curse,” implying that his support for a team has coincided with its losses.
“The USA just lost to Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16 by a score of 4-1, right after Trump personally called FIFA to clear star striker Balogun to play. He attended the Super Bowl and predicted a Chiefs win, but the Eagles blew them out. He sat in the owner’s suite when the Knicks snapped their huge playoff streak in the NBA Finals Game 3. And he attended the Ryder Cup, where Europe topped the U.S. team,” read a tweet by MeidasTouch Network, an independent news company.
The interference refers to Trump calling FIFA President Gianni Infantino to overturn Balogun’s one-match ban following his red card in the United States’ round-of-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Trump said he only asked for a review, but the unusual events after the call, in which FIFA suspended the red card, marked the first time since 1962 that a World Cup red card didn’t result in a suspension.
The footballing community was outraged. Belgium challenged the decision, and Europe’s top football governing body said it crossed a red line. Infantino rushed to clear the air around the insinuation that FIFA’s integrity was compromised. “FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential, and this must always be respected,” he said in a statement.
