Flip it: Belgium trolls USA, FIFA and Trump in scathing Instagram post

Belgium’s clinical 4-1 victory over the United States in the round of 16 at the World Cup on Monday night didn’t just end America’s hopes on the field. It sparked a fierce battle on social media. Moments after knocking out the co-hosts at the Seattle Stadium, the Belgian Red Devils’ official social media accounts delivered a scathing rebuke to FIFA and the US political establishment.

The team shared a photo of veteran striker Romelu Lukaku, who silenced the American crowd after scoring Belgium’s decisive fourth goal in stoppage time. The image was accompanied by a sharp two-word caption: “Flip this.”

The post was direct public mockery an unprecedented controversy that overshadowed the construction to the elimination match. Screenshot from Instagram

U.S. forward Folarin Balogun received a straight red card during the U.S.’s final group game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a decision that automatically carries a one-game suspension.

However, following strong political lobbying from Washington, FIFA’s independent disciplinary committee controversially overturned the ban on the eve of the match and allowed Balogun to start against Belgium. The decision sparked outrage in the Belgian camp, who felt the governing body had succumbed to political pressure.

Belgian midfielder Nicolas Raskin spoke to reporters after the final whistle in the mixed zone and did not hide his feelings of vindication.

“Like I said, I think there’s always been justice somewhere in life and the fact that something like this can happen, you can take what you want, but we don’t think it was fair,” Raskin said.

“And today I think it brings us just a little bit of luck. We needed to win the game and that message.”

HOW TRUMP DEFENDED HIS ACTION

The controversy began when US President Donald Trump decided to personally intervene in the sports dispute. Trump held three separate phone conversations with FIFA president Gianni Infantino to complain about the referee, later calling the original red card a “suspicious” decision.

Defending his actions from the Oval Office, Trump said: “All I did was ask for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul. I didn’t tell him what to do. I can’t tell him what to do.”

Following the tournament organizers’ decision to allow Balogun to play, Trump issued a formal statement praising the governing body, saying: “Thank you FIFA for doing the right thing and reversing a great injustice!”

FIFA and Infantino faced harsh criticism from European football associations for undermining the integrity of the tournament. In defense of the decision, FIFA officials cited Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows judicial authorities to suspend disciplinary action in exceptional circumstances.

In the end, political maneuvering did little to change the outcome on the field. Belgium dominated the game with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice and Hans Vanaken capitalizing on a defensive error before. Lukaku’s late strike sealed the lead at 4-1. Balogun, despite the delay, tried to impress against a disciplined Belgian defense and failed to find the net.

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Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

07 Jul 2026 09:18 IST