Europeans are crying over Team USA getting Balogun back, America went hard for the 4th & beaches are overrated
FIFA WC26
1-4
Finished
Squads
USA squad
- Full squad
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1 Matt TURNER Goalkeeper
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2 Sergino DEST Defender
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3 Chris RICHARDS Defender
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4 Tyler ADAMS Midfielder
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5 Antonee ROBINSON Defender
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6 Auston TRUSTY Defender
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7 Giovanni REYNA Midfielder
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8 Weston McKENNIE Midfielder
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9 Ricardo PEPI Forward
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10 Christian PULISIC Forward
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11 Brenden AARONSON Forward
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12 Miles ROBINSON Defender
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13 Tim REAM Defender
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14 Sebastian BERHALTER Midfielder
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15 Cristian ROLDAN Midfielder
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16 Alex FREEMAN Defender
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17 Malik TILLMAN Midfielder
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18 Max ARFSTEN Defender
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19 Haji WRIGHT Forward
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20 Folarin BALOGUN Forward
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21 Timothy WEAH Forward
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22 Mark McKENZIE Defender
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23 Joe SCALLY Defender
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24 Matt FREESE Goalkeeper
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25 Chris BRADY Goalkeeper
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26 Alex ZENDEJAS Forward
Belgium squad
- Full squad
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1 Thibaut COURTOIS Goalkeeper
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2 Zeno DEBAST Defender
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3 Arthur THEATE Defender
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4 Brandon MECHELE Defender
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5 Maxim DE CUYPER Defender
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6 Axel WITSEL Midfielder
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7 Kevin DE BRUYNE Midfielder
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8 Youri TIELEMANS Midfielder
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9 Romelu LUKAKU Forward
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10 Leandro TROSSARD Forward
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11 Jeremy DOKU Forward
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12 Senne LAMMENS Goalkeeper
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13 Mike PENDERS Goalkeeper
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14 Dodi LUKEBAKIO Forward
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15 Thomas MEUNIER Defender
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16 Koni DE WINTER Defender
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17 Charles DE KETELAERE Forward
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18 Joaquin SEYS Defender
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19 Diego MOREIRA Midfielder
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20 Hans VANAKEN Midfielder
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21 Timothy CASTAGNE Defender
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22 Alexis SAELEMAEKERS Midfielder
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23 Nicolas RASKIN Midfielder
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24 Amadou ONANA Midfielder
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25 Nathan NGOY Defender
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26 Matias FERNANDEZ-PARDO Forward
Folarin Balogun's reinstatement with Team USA has drawn criticism from European observers, with one ESPN writer arguing that American World Cup success involving Balogun would be "tainted." FIFA intervened in the dispute by overturning a red card suspension affecting Balogun using a specific regulatory provision, restoring his eligibility for competition.
During this period, American engagement with international soccer remained prominent, with Fourth of July celebrations intersecting with World Cup quarterfinal matches featuring major nations including England, Mexico, and others. The convergence of patriotic American sentiment and global soccer competition dominated sports media discourse.
- Folarin Balogun's return to Team USA sparked criticism from European observers and a dispute over FIFA's red card suspension rule application
- American sports enthusiasm remained high during the World Cup period, with Fourth of July celebrations coinciding with international soccer competition