Pochettino takes personal issue with criticism of Folarin Balogun ruling
SEATTLE -- Repeatedly pressed about the widespread criticism of how Folarin Balogun was cleared to play in Monday's round of 16 World Cup match against Belgium, United States coach Mauricio Pochettino finally paused and offered his heartfelt feelings.
Balogun was largely a non-factor before being substituted off late in the 4-1 loss. That he was even on the pitch at Seattle Stadium generated a global storyline that dominated World Cup conversation since FIFA announced on Sunday that Balogun's one-match ban following a straight red card had been suspended.
President Donald Trump acknowledged that he called FIFA president Gianni Infantino, which only heightened the debate around the already controversial decision by the organization's governing body. The Belgian federation was allowed to appeal, which it did, with the appeal denied Monday morning.
UEFA, the sport's governing body in Europe, said FIFA's decision to pause or erase a suspension "crossed a red line." Belgium deputy prime minister Maxime Prevot decried the intervention of Trump and US officials, calling it an "incomprehensible decision" and that "it would be a blatant violation of the most basic rules of football and sport."
While Pochettino said the situation played no role in Monday's loss, he took personal issue with those who questioned the motives behind the process that cleared Balogun to play.
"I am so frustrated and disappointed with people who are supposed to understand the situation," Pochettino said. "It's not an excuse, it wasn't our day.
"But in a personal way, what is the point to (send a) bad message or to threaten? To mix this, to talk about the ethic, talk about the integrity?"
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia was among those who criticized the suspension of Balogun's red card. He commended Balogun for approaching him after the match, and downplayed a question about whether the situation further motivated his side.
"No, it wasn't needed," Garcia said. "Regardless of the US starting lineup, what really mattered to us was our lineup. It did not change anything when it came to our dedication."
US midfielder Tyler Adams said the team did not learn about the suspension of the red card until the news broke on Sunday. He also dismissed the notion that it created a distraction that may have impacted the team's preparation.
"I don't think that noise or anything affected us by any means. If anything, it probably uplifted us, in a sense," Adams said.
Pressed about whether the situation may have impacted Balogun's performance, Adams rebutted, "Was anyone a major presence on the field today? Do you know what I mean?"
Defender Tim Ream followed Adams to the podium, and was quickly asked how he thought the Balogun situation and resulting debates impacted the team.
"It had no impact," Ream said. "We've done a good job with this group of allowing outside noise to be outside noise. It's got nothing to do with us as players and getting ready for games. It's one of those things, that's the world we live in.
"We were fully focused on us as a group and as a team, and fully focused on the game and not really worrying about what was being said or debated in the outside world."
--Derek Harper, Field Level Media
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This story was originally published July 6, 2026 at 11:33 PM.