Hours before his team takes on former champions Spain in the quarterfinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Inglewood, USA, Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said that the Red Devils gained “millions and millions” of new supporters, thanks to US President Donald Trump’s intervention in the tournament over a red card.
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The American leader asked FIFA to review the red card shown to US footballer Folarin Bolagun in the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina before the co-hosts faced Belgium in the Round of 16 in Seattle on July 6. The football’s world governing body decided to suspend the red-card ban, earning a massive backlash. However, Belgium went on to decimate the USA 4-1 in the game to advance to the Last Eight.
Belgium responded to ‘unfair’ means by drubbing USA
That the European side was eager to respond to what was called unfair could be seen after it scored the fourth goal against the USA. A number of Belgian players were seen celebrating with moves reminiscent of the so-called ‘Trump dance’ — the hip-rocking, arm-pumping routine that became widely recognised during the 2024 US presidential race.
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Belgium’s national team also seemed to poke fun at the incident on its official Instagram, sharing a photo of forward Romelu Lukaku cupping his ear with the caption “overturn this”.
Red Devils take ‘incredible strength’ from Bolagun episode
The Belgians are not yet keen to put that ‘moral victory; behind, with Garcia saying they will take “incredible strength” from the episode against the Spaniards, The Guardian reported. The Belgians, however, harboured little ill-feeling towards Bolagun as their coach said he spoke with the latter, telling him that he was not to be blamed for what had happened between Trump and FIFA.
However, since Belgium will still play in the USA, including the game against Spain in Los Angeles in an 80,000-capacity venue, speculation is rife that they could face a hostile reception. But Garcia felt otherwise. According to him, his team was more prepared, stronger and more popular than before.
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“The conditions will only be as difficult as they were in the round of 16,” he was quoted as saying by The Guardian report. “We had 12 million Belgium fans and now, over the last few days, I think we have millions and millions behind us; they have joined our ranks and I think that will be great. I think that will give us incredible strength. I don’t know what (the atmosphere) will be like in the stadium but we will concentrate on what we have to do. We have enough on our plate with the Spanish squad.”
Belgium’s best performance at the World Cup was finishing third in the 2018 edition in Russia, while Spain lifted the trophy in South Africa in 2010.
The winners of the match will take on France, who beat Morocco 2-0, in the semifinal on July 14.
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