Here’s what they did.
Belgium’s national men’s soccer team celebrated its World Cup victory over the United States in a way that quickly grabbed attention far beyond the soccer field, with several players appearing to imitate President Donald Trump’s signature dance after securing a convincing 4-1 win on Monday night.
The celebration immediately sparked discussion across social media, where sports fans and political observers debated whether the gesture was simply lighthearted fun or a pointed jab at the American president.
The moment came after Belgium scored its fourth and final goal of the match in front of thousands of fans in Seattle. Several Belgian players gathered near the goal line and performed what has become widely recognized online as the “Trump dance” while American supporters began making their way toward the exits.
Video shared later by a European news outlet showed Belgian players repeating the dance inside the locker room as they celebrated advancing to the next round of the FIFA World Cup.
Match Already Surrounded By Controversy
The high-profile matchup had already attracted international attention before kickoff because of a controversial FIFA decision involving U.S. striker Folarin Balogun.
Balogun originally received a red card during the Americans’ previous match, triggering an automatic one-game suspension. However, FIFA later overturned the decision after reviewing the incident.
The review drew additional headlines after President Trump confirmed he had spoken with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and encouraged the organization to take another look at the play.
Many soccer analysts argued the original red card was harsh and deserved further review. Others questioned whether a sitting U.S. president should become involved in an international sporting matter, even informally.
According to reports, members of Belgium’s team described FIFA’s decision to reverse the suspension as “astonishing.”
Trump Defended Having The Best Players On The Field
Speaking before the match, President Trump said fans deserve to watch both teams compete at full strength rather than see an important game influenced by a disputed officiating decision.
“If Belgium wins, they can be proud,” Trump said, adding that the world’s best players should have the opportunity to compete whenever possible.
Despite Balogun returning to the American lineup, Belgium controlled much of the contest and earned a decisive 4-1 victory.
Belgium Advances To The Quarterfinals
With the victory, Belgium moves on to face Spain in Los Angeles on Friday as the World Cup knockout stage continues.
Meanwhile, discussion surrounding the Belgian players’ post-goal celebration and the earlier FIFA ruling is likely to remain part of the tournament’s biggest storylines, highlighting how sports and politics continue to intersect on one of the world’s largest stages.