Following Belgium’s decisive 4-1 victory over the United States in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, Belgium’s head coach Rudi Garcia and American forward Folarin Balogun addressed any lingering tensions between them.
In the post-match press conference, Garcia was open about their discussion, noting that he harbored no ill feelings towards Balogun after FIFA controversially lifted his one-game red-card suspension.
“He approached me for a chat, and I appreciated that gesture,” Garcia remarked in French with the aid of an interpreter after the match took place in Seattle.
“It is not his fault; he is not the one to blame — and that’s what I told him. I really appreciate the intention that he came to see me. I appreciate this player.”
Their conversation came after Balogun’s reinstatement created a spectacle — and Garcia compared it to April Fools’ Day at his pre-match press conference.
FIFA announced Sunday that Balogun’s one-match ban — after he received a red card in the Americans’ win over Bosnia in the Round of 32— had been suspended for a year.
The decision came after President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of the play where Balogun hit Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic from behind in the 61st minute.
Belgium was granted the right to appeal FIFA’s decision to suspend Balogun’s one-game ban, but he was still cleared to play.
The ninth-ranked Belgium squad is unbeaten in its last 18 matches after its victory over the U.S.
Belgium faces Spain on Friday in Inglewood, Calif. in the quarterfinals.