World Cup 2026: America’s exit ends in shambolic fashion – Balogan saga played out?

Point aside, there was something different about this American performance.

Pochettino has successfully dispelled the false impression that he played arrogantly earlier in the competition, attacking teams in stunning style and leading fans to believe they can upset the odds in this competition and go all the way.

“We’re going to win the World Cup,” one fan predicted before the game, and his confidence was not alone among the fans gathered at the gates of Seattle Stadium.

In the previous round, he was shown a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic, but many were happy that striker Balogan was exempted from the match.

FIFA’s sudden decision to extend the one-match ban to 12 months has drawn criticism from UEFA, Belgium and England boss Thomas Tuchel.

The issue has reached the height of US politics, with President Donald Trump saying last Monday that he had asked FIFA to review the decision because he “didn’t think the decision was wrong”.

Baloghi, who scored three goals in the World Cup, started against Belgium but struggled to establish himself as a player.

After being asked if he had been affected by so much attention in the build-up, United boss Pochettino said: “It didn’t affect our performance. It’s not an excuse, it wasn’t our day.

“But what’s the point of insulting or receiving so many bad messages in a personal way?

“It is the rule that the federation will apply and try (to reverse the ban). My position was to train the team, because FIFA allows you to have the player, if the blog is available, it is not a problem.

“I’m disappointed by a lot of people. They put politics and fraud, they talk about ethics and integrity (first). If we talk about the history of this game, I’m sorry in a personal way.”

Belgium boss Rudy Garcia revealed that Balogui approached him directly after the match.

“He came to talk to me,” he said. “I really like it. It’s not his fault, it’s not his fault and that’s what I’m saying.”