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Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia and U.S. star forward Folarin Balogun cleared the air after the Red Devils beat the Americans 4-1 in the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Monday.
During his postmatch press conference, Garcia was candid about their conversation and explained that he didn’t fault Balogun after his one-game red-card suspension was controversially lifted by FIFA.
“He came to talk to me. I really liked that,” Garcia said in French through an interpreter after the match in Seattle.
Belgium head coach, Rudi Garcia, on his conversation with Folarin Balogun after the match:
"He came to talk to me. I really liked that. It is not his fault; he is not the one to blame — that's what I told him. I really appreciate the intention that he came to see me. I… pic.twitter.com/F933UA7USE
“It is not his fault; he is not the one to blame — and that’s what I told him. I really appreciate the intention that he came to see me. I appreciate this player.”
Their conversation came after Balogun’s reinstatement created a spectacle — and Garcia compared it to April Fools’ Day at his pre-match press conference.
FIFA announced Sunday that Balogun’s one-match ban — after he received a red card in the Americans’ win over Bosnia in the Round of 32— had been suspended for a year.
The decision came after President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of the play where Balogun hit Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic from behind in the 61st minute.
Belgium was granted the right to appeal FIFA’s decision to suspend Balogun’s one-game ban, but he was still cleared to play.
The ninth-ranked Belgium squad is unbeaten in its last 18 matches after its victory over the U.S.
Belgium faces Spain on Friday in Inglewood, Calif. in the quarterfinals.
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