The Belgian players were seen imitating Trump's trademark dance on the field in an apparent dig at the US President, whose intervention had led to FIFA controversially overturning Balogun's red-card suspension.

Belgium later took the jibe online, posting photographs of the team's celebrations on X with the caption: "Overturn this."

Trump intervened in Balogun red-card controversy

Trump found himself at the centre of controversy after intervening in the suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun.

Balogun had received a straight red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, triggering an automatic one-match suspension that would have ruled him out of the Round of 16 clash against Belgium.

Trump publicly criticised the referee's decision as "horrible" and revealed that he had personally called Gianni Infantino to request a review of the incident. FIFA's disciplinary committee subsequently lifted Balogun's suspension, allowing him to play against Belgium.

FIFA decision sparks backlash

The decision drew widespread criticism from football officials, including UEFA and the Royal Belgian Football Association, who argued that political intervention undermined FIFA's disciplinary independence and the integrity of the tournament.

Trump, however, maintained that he had only requested a review and did not influence the final verdict, while FIFA insisted the decision was taken independently by its judicial bodies.

Belgium thrash USA to book quarter-final berth

In the other Round of 16 fixture, Belgium national football team stormed into the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals with an emphatic 4-1 victory over the United States men's national soccer team in Seattle.

Charles De Ketelaere starred with two goals and an assist as Belgium capitalised on a series of costly defensive errors by the hosts.

Malik Tillman briefly restored parity for the USA with a well-taken free-kick after Belgium's early opener, but De Ketelaere quickly put the Europeans back in front before Hans Vanaken extended the lead in the second half.

Romelu Lukaku added a stoppage-time goal to seal the comprehensive victory, setting up a mouth-watering