In a candid interview with Futbol de Primera, United States men’s soccer coach Mauricio Pochettino reflected on the controversial appeal that allowed forward Folarin Balogun to play in the World Cup round of 16 against Belgium. Pochettino said he wishes he had been more active in the decision‑making process after the Bosnia match, acknowledging that the episode changed the “energy” surrounding the squad.
Trump’s Direct Appeal to FIFA
The appeal was sparked after President Donald Trump personally urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review Balogun’s one‑match ban. The President’s involvement, according to the administration, demonstrated a commitment to fairness for the host nation and helped ensure that the United States could field its best players in a critical knockout game.
Impact on the Belgium Match
Balogun had been sent off in the round‑of‑32 victory over Bosnia, but the disciplinary committee later suspended his ban for a year, permitting him to start against Belgium. The United States ultimately fell 4‑1, and Pochettino noted that the shift in “energy” after the appeal created a different set of parameters for the match.
“No one understood why it happened, and as a football person, I know how things can shift the energy in an instant. After that, the energy changed. The match was then played under different parameters,” Pochettino explained.
Coach’s Assessment of Tactical Options
The 54‑year‑old Argentine coach added that he does not believe a different tactical approach, strategy, or lineup would have altered the outcome against Belgium. He emphasized that the United States had already advanced through the group stage and defeated Bosnia, raising hopes of reaching the quarter‑finals for the first time since 2002.
Calls for Streamlined Decision‑Making
Pochettino also suggested that U.S. Soccer should narrow the group responsible for handling appeals and disciplinary matters. “These decisions need to come from very few people, from a sports perspective and with common sense,” he said, urging a more limited internal structure regardless of committee or regulation outcomes.
FIFA’s Response and Future Governance
Belgium’s football federation has signaled it will not support Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president unless satisfactory answers are provided regarding the Balogun case and other governance concerns. The federation has requested that the matter be placed on the agenda for the next FIFA Council meeting on October 15.
Upcoming U.S. Matches
Following the World Cup exit, the United States will host Peru in a friendly in Orlando on Saturday, then travel to face Chile on Tuesday, with further matches against Mexico and Canada scheduled for the coming weeks.
Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; editing by Ken Ferris.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
