In an unexpected twist, the Belgian Embassy in Vietnam turned a sports victory into a diplomatic jab.
Just hours following Belgium's resounding 4-1 triumph over the United States in the 2026 World Cup's Round of 16, the Belgian diplomatic mission utilized their official Facebook page to express both football euphoria and a pointed remark directed at President Donald Trump.
A Diplomatic Message No One Saw Coming
The post, written in both English and Vietnamese, kicked off with a celebration of the win:
"The victory belongs to the Belgian national team! What an exhilarating match against the U.S.: both teams gave it their all! And we could feel it: Vietnam was cheering us on too."
This statement was a direct nod to the controversy that had unfolded in the days leading up to the match.
President Trump had personally reached out to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, requesting a review of a red card that had sidelined forward Folarin Balogun. In an unprecedented decision, FIFA overturned the penalty on July 5.
Trump openly acknowledged the call from the Oval Office, stating, "Yes, I did ask for a review by FIFA."
Despite all efforts, Balogun played but failed to score. The match saw Charles De Ketelaere score early, with Malik Tillman equalizing for the U.S. in the 31st minute. De Ketelaere scored again in the 33rd, while Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku sealed the victory.
The Belgians had 14 shots compared to seven from the Americans.
The Ironic Historical Context of Vietnamese Support
The mention of Vietnamese support carries a historical weight.
The Vietnam War (1955-1975), referred to in Vietnam as the "Resistance War Against America," resulted in over three million Vietnamese casualties and has left a lasting impact. Though the U.S. and Vietnam normalized relations in 1995, the collective memory of the conflict remains vivid.
The Belgian Embassy's public acknowledgment of this support in a match where the U.S. was both the local team and tournament host adds a significant political and historical layer.
The Trump-Infantino Controversy as Background
The scandal regarding the reversal of Balogun's red card had stirred the football world. UEFA deemed the action "unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustifiable."
Former FIFA President Joseph Blatter was frank, saying, "Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls."
Infantino defended the decision, asserting that FIFA's judicial bodies are independent and the ruling was based on regulations. Trump, on the other hand, praised the resolution as a correction of "a great injustice."
After the final whistle, the Belgian team's celebration added another chapter: Lukaku and his teammates mimicked Trump's signature dance to "YMCA," a moment that went viral globally.
Belgium now advances to the quarterfinals, facing Spain on July 10 at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium.
With the U.S. ousted in Seattle, history was made as, for the first time, all three host nations of a World Cup — the U.S., Mexico, and Canada — were eliminated before the quarterfinals.
Insights on the World Cup Match and Its Implications
What was the outcome of the Belgium vs. USA World Cup match?
Belgium defeated the United States 4-1 in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
Why was there controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun's participation?
President Trump intervened, asking FIFA to overturn Balogun's red card, leading to a controversial decision allowing him to play.
What historical context makes Vietnam's support for Belgium significant?
The Vietnam War's legacy, known locally as the "Resistance War Against America," still influences the societal memory, adding depth to the support for Belgium.