Folarin Balogun apologizes after US loss to Belgium in 2026 World Cup

Striker Folarin Balogun issued a public apology on Instagram after the United States were eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He wrote, "It hurts to wait four years… I want to say sorry to our fans. We were not good enough when it mattered most and we let you down," and added that soccer in America will continue to grow and that the team will return stronger.

The U.S. exit came with a 4‑1 defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16 in Seattle, ending the co‑host nation's tournament. Belgium dominated the match after briefly conceding a Malik Tillman free‑kick. Balogun, who had appealed a red‑card suspension from the previous round, saw his ban lifted by FIFA and finished the tournament with three goals and an assist, but the loss halted any deeper run on home soil.