Belgium mock Trump with his own dance after knocking USA out of World Cup 4-1

Belgium eliminated co-hosts the United States from the World Cup with a commanding 4-1 victory in Seattle, then took aim at Donald Trump himself — mimicking the president’s trademark dance on the pitch as they celebrated reaching the quarter-finals.

The round of 16 tie had been overshadowed before a ball was kicked by Trump’s reported role in suspending a one-match ban for USA striker Folarin Balogun, who had been sent off in the Americans’ group-stage win against Bosnia and Herzegovina. FIFA’s disciplinary committee dismissed Belgium’s appeal against the decision, ruling the Belgians were not an interested party in the original incident.

Balogun started in Seattle but could not prevent a comfortable Belgian victory. When Romelu Lukaku added a fourth goal deep in stoppage time, several Belgium squad members broke into the “Trump dance” — a move the president popularised during his successful 2024 presidential campaign. USA forward Christian Pulisic had previously performed the same dance when celebrating a goal against Jamaica in the Concacaf Nations League.

Belgium’s official Instagram account leaned further into the moment, posting a photo of Lukaku cupping his ear to the crowd with the caption: “Overturn this” — a pointed reference to the Balogun suspension saga.

Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin, who plays his club football for Rangers, made clear the episode had galvanised the squad. “A lot has happened off the pitch over the last two days,” he said. “There was a sense of injustice within the squad, and we were determined to respond on the field.”

The Royal Belgian Football Association had described itself as “astonished” by FIFA’s decision to delay Balogun’s ban ahead of the match. Their frustration evidently found an outlet once the final whistle sounded.

The USA, playing as one of three co-hosts of the 2026 tournament, exit at the round of 16 stage after a sluggish display offered little to trouble a well-organised Belgian side. Belgium now advance to face Spain in Los Angeles on Friday, with a semi-final place at stake.