World Cup 2026: USA bounced out by Belgium after Balogun furore; backlash against Fifa builds – live

Key events

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In podcast news, Max Rushden hosted World Cup Daily with the stellar lineup of Barry Glendenning, Archie Rhind-Tutt, Nick Ames and Sid Lowe.

They pick over defeats for the USA and Portugal, reflect further on England’s memorable win against Mexico, and indulge in some first-class banter on the way:

“Overturn this” is pretty good from Belgium’s social media team, it must be said.

Although not in the same league as “where’s you ham now?” from Barcelona v Metz, in the 1984-85 Cup Winners’ Cup.

Romelu Lukaku (right) of Belgium. Goal machine. Photograph: Xinhua/Shutterstock

Alexander Abnos was on the scene in Seattle to witness the USA go out against Belgium. Here’s his report:

And some reaction from inside the co-hosts camp: Tim Ream, the USA captain, insisted the Folarin Balogun red-card farrago ‘had no impact’:

Preamble

Hello sports fans.

USA, the co-hosts, have been knocked out after a thumping 4-1 last-16 defeat by Belgium in Seattle. They insist the Donald Trump-induced Folarin Balogun red-card furore had nothing to do with the result.

Portugal are out too, the 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup ending in tears after a 1-0 defeat by Spain in Dallas.

Argentina v Egypt and Switzerland v Colombia will round off the last 16 later, which will leave eight teams standing on the road to the final on 19 July. (Barring any unprecedented political interventions, of course …)

What does this all mean? Let’s talk about soccer/association football/the World Cup.