SEATTLE — Belgium’s coach Rudi Garcia says the heated controversy over FIFA’s decision to allow U.S. forward Folarin Balogun to play in Monday’s World Cup round-of-16 match had virtually no effect on his team, which went on to defeat the United States 4-1.
The dispute centered on Balogun’s red card during the round-of-32 match against Bosnia, which would normally have triggered an automatic one-game suspension. Instead, FIFA chose to suspend that ban for a one-year probationary period, clearing Balogun to take the field against Belgium — a move that drew fierce backlash from the Belgian soccer federation and sparked a broader international outcry. U.S. President Donald Trump also weighed in, stating he had requested that the decision be reviewed.
When asked at the post-match press conference whether he used the off-field drama to fire up his players, Garcia was direct: “No, it wasn’t at all necessary.”
“What really mattered to us was our game plan. We wanted to dominate the game, avoid their pressing and play higher up. We played with mastery, with willingness and dedication. It was a great night for us and a great qualification for the quarter-finals,” Garcia said.
Garcia noted that his players had been kept informed about the Balogun situation throughout the week, but said the group handled it with maturity.
“We told them about what was happening. The group is very mature. We have leaders to help us go through that,” he said.
“I told them that what mattered the most was us. Our team trying to set the game principles, whether it’s attack or defence. We were also underlining the strength and weaknesses of the opponent, but we’re not analysing anything more. We’re not adapting to the opponent. That’s not my style as a coach,” Garcia added.
Garcia, who had previously taken aim at FIFA’s ruling — likening it to an April Fool’s Day joke — said Balogun approached him after the final whistle, a gesture he said he appreciated.
“He came to talk to me. I really liked that. It’s not his fault. He’s not the one to blame. And that’s what I told him. I really appreciate that he came to see me,” Garcia said.
As for the American side’s performance, Garcia suggested the lopsided scoreline may have been partly rooted in psychological baggage from an earlier encounter. Belgium beat the United States 5-2 in a March friendly held in Atlanta.
“At some points of the game you got the feeling that was in their heads,” Garcia observed.
Belgium will next face Spain in Los Angeles on Friday in the quarterfinals. However, the team received a significant blow when midfielder Amadou Onana was forced off the pitch in the first half with a knee injury. Onana was later seen on crutches, and Garcia indicated the injury appeared serious enough to potentially end his tournament.
“We feel bad for him, but now that we are in the quarter-finals, we want to go to the semis,” Garcia said.
