Pochettino refuses to blame Balogun’s red card controversy for USA’s exit from the World Cup
United States coach Mauricio Pochettino refused to blame the controversy over Folarin Balogun’s availability for his side’s 4-1 World Cup defeat to Belgium on Monday, despite admitting he was “disappointed” and “frustrated” by the reaction.
Seattle’s surge in games was overshadowed by FIFA’s decision to clear Balogun for the game, despite the forward’s red card in the previous round. The decision came after reports that US President Donald Trump had contacted FIFA, although football’s governing body insisted its disciplinary decision was made independently.
Belgium challenged the decision before the appeal was dismissed, leaving Pochettino to defend himself repeatedly Availability Balogun in the days before the knockout clash.
But after the defeat, the Argentine made it clear that the noise off the pitch had no effect on his team’s performance.
“We weren’t good enough today. We don’t need to make excuses,” Pochettino said. “Everything that went around came around, but it wasn’t a situation that affected us. I don’t think it affected our performance. It’s not an excuse and we can’t make excuses. It wasn’t our day.”
USA vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026, Round of 16: Highlighting
Pochettino admitted he was personally hurt by the criticism that followed FIFA’s decision and said he simply respected the governing body’s decision.
“I’m so frustrated and so disappointed by the people who are supposed to understand this situation,” he said, accusing critics of “mixing” politics with FIFA’s disciplinary process.
“But personally, what’s the point? Being insulted or getting a lot of bad news or threats if my position is ‘I’m the head coach, is the rule that a player can be available’?
“My job was to coach the team and if you have Balogun because the FIFA disciplinary committee has allowed you to have the player, it’s not a problem. I personally feel so let down by too many people.”
“NOT GOOD ENOUGH AS A TEAM”
On the field, the United States failed to reproduce the performances that carried them through the group stage and into the knockout stages. Belgium dominated large spells of the match, with the hosts unable to recover after conceding twice in quick succession.
“We didn’t show our real quality as a team,” Pochettino said.
“We never connected with the game. Belgium were better than us and that’s all.”
The Americans briefly found their way back into the game when Malik Tillman equalized, but Belgium restored their lead almost immediately before pulling away in the second half.
“Even though we scored, we conceded in the next action,” Pochettino said. “Normally you can’t concede at that point.
“It was a very bad day. It wasn’t our day, collectively or individually. In a tournament like the World Cup, when it happens in the knockout stages, you’re out and you have to go home.”
Balogun, the United States’ top scorer at the tournament with three goals, started against Belgium but struggled to make an impact as the co-hosts suffered their heaviest defeat of the competition.
Pochettino also remained non-committal about his future. His contract expires after the World Cup, although he has reportedly been offered an extension and has also been linked with a return to European club football.
“Now is the time to rest a bit, think, talk and then see what the decision is from the federation and from us,” he said.
Despite the disappointing exit, Pochettino insisted the team had laid the foundations for the future.
“We have to keep getting better,” he said. “But I’m proud. I think we’ve settled the principles for the future.”
Football World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | football news
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
07 Jul 2026 09:47 IST