Belgium's Thibaut Courtois Criticizes US for Disrespect After 2026 World Cup Win

Belgium defeated the United States 4-1 to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup. The match was overshadowed by controversy over Belgian player Florian Balogun, who was allowed to play despite a red card suspension, following an unusual intervention by then-US President Donald Trump. After the game, Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois openly criticized the US team, accusing them of disrespect in the days leading up to the match. Courtois said, "We punished the Americans for the lack of respect they showed us. The whole situation was illogical, and we felt they looked down on us." He expressed confidence in Belgium's victory over the US, contrasting it with his concerns about Senegal, whom Belgium had faced earlier. Belgium, which started the tournament hesitantly, has shown clear improvement as the World Cup progresses. They now prepare to face European champions Spain in the quarterfinals, aiming to maintain their momentum in the race for a semifinal spot.