It's not every day you see Americans rooting against their own team on the world's biggest stage, but that's exactly what's happening ahead of tonight's Round of 16 clash between the USMNT and Belgium.
Multiple U.S. citizens have taken to social media to declare their support for Belgium, sparking a heated debate about patriotism, integrity, and the fallout from a controversial FIFA decision that has divided the soccer world.
The drama centers on star striker Folarin Balogun, whose red card was suspended by FIFA after a personal call from President Donald Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The move has drawn sharp criticism from coaches, players, and fans around the globe—including some here at home.
“I’m a U.S. citizen who will be rooting for Belgium tonight. Probably just me,” one user posted on X, a message that has since racked up over 2.4 million views. The sentiment was echoed by another American who wrote, “This is an absolute embarrassment to the United States. Once again our President embarrasses our nation on the world stage… As a US citizen I will be routing for Belgium to win this game. Not because I don’t love my country, but as a lifelong professional sportsman… I’ve always taught the importance of integrity and sadly the US has proven to the world we have absolutely none. Shameful.”
The backlash isn't limited to fans. England manager Thomas Tuchel openly questioned the process behind the decision, saying, “Who overturns this decision and when and on what grounds? And how far does this go now? It is just strange for me. We just want to have consistency in the decisions.” His comments echo the broader frustration felt by many in the soccer community, and they come on the heels of Belgium erupting over FIFA's shocking ruling.
Despite the controversy, President Trump defended his involvement, stating at a White House briefing, “All I did was ask for a review. I didn’t say, you have to do this. This man is a smart, tough man, Gianni Infantino… I feel like we have to have all the best players on the field.”
For many American soccer fans, however, the meddling has crossed a line. The sentiment is especially potent given the USMNT's recent surge in popularity under manager Mauricio Pochettino, whose Fourth of July rally cry ignited the team ahead of this match. Now, instead of unity, the squad faces a fractured fanbase.
Of course, the vast majority of Americans will still be cheering for the red, white, and blue when kickoff arrives at 8 p.m. ET on FOX. But in a nation of 330 million, dissent is inevitable—and this time, it's making global headlines.
Whether Balogun's presence on the field will silence the critics or fuel further debate remains to be seen. One thing is certain: tonight's match has become about far more than soccer.
