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‘We disappointed you’ – Folarin Balogun apologises to USMNT fans after World Cup elimination by Belgium, pledges team will rise again

United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) striker Folarin Balogun has issued an emotional apology to supporters following the team’s disappointing exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The AS Monaco forward found himself at the centre of global attention after his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina was sensationally overturned by FIFA, allowing him to play in the 4-1 Round of 16 loss to Belgium.

Balogun opens up on heartbreak in Seattle

The pain is still raw after a night to forget in Seattle, where the co-hosts were comprehensively beaten by a ruthless Belgium side. Despite the controversy surrounding his availability, Balogun was named in the starting line-up but couldn’t prevent the European heavyweights from ending the American dream. Taking to social media, the 23-year-old expressed his deep disappointment and took full responsibility for the team’s performance.

“My debut World Cup,” Balogun wrote. “It hurts to wait four years to compete at the highest level our sport can offer. I want to apologise to our supporters — it wasn’t good enough when it mattered most, and we disappointed you. Football in America will only continue to grow — the belief, the talent, and the passion are all increasing, and I know the best is yet to come. The future belongs to those who never stop believing. This moment will drive us. We’ll be back. Why not us? For the nation. For the flag.”

The extraordinary red card controversy

Balogun’s World Cup campaign will likely be remembered for the controversy that erupted before the knockout fixture. After receiving a red card for a tackle against Bosnia and Herzegovina, it seemed his tournament had ended. However, an unexpected intervention involving Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino led to FIFA suspending his one-match ban, a decision that stunned the Belgian Football Association and the wider football community.

Reflecting on the uproar, Balogun maintained his composure, stating after the defeat: “When you get a red card, the usual rule is you miss the next match. When that decision is overturned, of course, it’s going to cause debate. It didn’t really surprise me much. As a player, my responsibility is to focus on my role on the pitch. I’m disappointed we couldn’t win today. I accepted the red card when it was given, and I accepted the decision when I was told I could play. There’s not much more I can add. All that said, Belgium were the better team today. They played much better than us.”

Garcia stands by the under-pressure striker

While pundits and fans remain divided over the fairness of the decision to let him play, Belgium coach Rudi Garcia was quick to defend the young forward. The former AS Roma manager revealed that Balogun approached him after full-time to discuss the situation, displaying a level of maturity that impressed the victorious coach.

“Balogun came to speak with me, and I appreciated that. It’s not his fault; he’s not to blame. I told him that. I respected the fact he came to talk,” Garcia said. The Belgian coach added that his side did not use the controversy as additional motivation, insisting that their focus stayed on executing the tactical plan needed to overcome a “dynamic” USMNT outfit.

Dest joins in with message of resilience

Balogun wasn’t the only player from Mauricio Pochettino’s squad to express regret following the elimination. PSV Eindhoven defender Sergiño Dest also turned to social media to share his emotions, echoing the feeling that the team failed to deliver for their home supporters.

Writing on X, the former Barcelona and AC Milan full-back said: “There’s no way to describe this feeling. We wanted so much more. We let ourselves down, but we won’t let this define us. We dreamed of giving our country something special and fell short. To every fan who believed in us from the start, thank you. Your support never went unnoticed. We’ll carry this pain, learn from it, and come back stronger. This badge deserves nothing less.”