Belgium challenges FIFA over training site and US player ban ahead of World Cup quarter‑final

The Belgian national team lodged a formal complaint with FIFA, saying the grass at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles did not meet required standards for their World Cup preparation. FIFA accepted the request and Belgium moved its training base to the LA Galaxy facility.

Earlier, Belgium defeated the United States 4‑1 in the round of 16. The match was preceded by controversy over a red card shown to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun in the previous game. Former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urged FIFA president Gianni Infantino to overturn the automatic suspension; FIFA instead suspended the ban but allowed Balogun to play, a decision Belgium said disadvantaged them. Belgian players later said the Balogun case motivated them to win.

The team now faces Spain in the quarter‑finals in Los Angeles.