The United States’ surprise World Cup journey ended in a 4-1 defeat to Belgium, as defensive lapses and missed chances cut short a promising run that had briefly captivated American fans.
FIFA cleared U.S. striker Folarin Balogun to face Belgium after a controversial intervention by Donald Trump, sparking intense debate over politics influencing World Cup decisions.
Washington, D.C., long seen as a natural World Cup stage, was left off the 2026 host list amid stadium concerns, political hurdles and stronger bids from rival U.S. cities.