Pochettino refuses to blame Balogun's red card controversy for USA's World Cup exit

United States coach Mauricio Pochettino admitted he was "disappointed" and "frustrated" by the backlash over Folarin Balogun's controversial availability but insisted it played no part in his side's 4-1 World Cup defeat to Belgium on Monday.

In Short

• Belgium beat the United States 4-1 in the round of 16 in World Cup
• FIFA cleared Balogun despite a previous red card, sparking criticism
• Pochettino said off-field issues did not affect the team performance

United States coach Mauricio Pochettino refused to blame the controversy over Folarin Balogun's availability for his side's 4-1 World Cup defeat to Belgium on Monday, despite admitting he was "disappointed" and "frustrated" by the backlash.

The build-up to the match in Seattle was overshadowed by FIFA's decision to clear Balogun to play despite the striker receiving a red card in the previous round. The ruling came after reports that US President Donald Trump had contacted FIFA, although football's governing body insisted its disciplinary decision was made independently.

Belgium challenged the decision before the appeal was dismissed, leaving Pochettino to repeatedly defend Balogun's availability in the days leading up to the knockout clash.

After the defeat, however, the Argentine made it clear that the off-field noise had no bearing on his team's performance.

"We were not good enough today. We don't need to find excuses," Pochettino said. "All that was happening around was around, but it wasn't a situation that affected us. I think it didn't affect our performance. It's not an excuse, and we cannot put excuses. It wasn't our day."

USA vs Belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16: Highlights

Pochettino admitted he was personally hurt by the criticism that followed FIFA's decision, saying he had simply respected the governing body's ruling.

"I am so frustrated and so disappointed with the people who are supposed to understand this situation," he said, accusing critics of "mixing" politics with FIFA's disciplinary process.

"But in a personal way, what is the point? To insult or to receive a lot of bad messages or threats, if my position is 'I am the head coach, it's a rule that the player can be available'?

"My position was to train the team, and if you have available Balogun because the disciplinary committee of FIFA allowed you to have the player, it's not a problem. In a personal way I feel so disappointed with too many people."

'US NOT GOOD ENOUGH AS TEAM'

On the pitch, the United States failed to reproduce the performances that had taken them through the group stage and into the knockout rounds. Belgium dominated large spells of the contest, with the hosts unable to recover after conceding twice in quick succession.

"We didn't show our real quality as a team," Pochettino said.

"We never connected with the game. Belgium were better than us, and that's it."

The Americans briefly found a way back into the contest when Malik Tillman equalised, but Belgium restored their lead almost immediately before pulling away in the second half.

"Even when we scored, in the next action we conceded," Pochettino said. "Normally you cannot concede in that moment."

"It was a very bad day. It wasn't our day, collectively or individually. In a tournament like the World Cup, when that happens in a knockout stage, you are out and you need to go home."

Balogun, the United States' leading scorer at the tournament with three goals, started against Belgium but struggled to influence the game as the co-hosts suffered their heaviest defeat of the competition.

Pochettino also remained non-committal over his future. His contract expires after the World Cup, although he has reportedly been offered an extension and has also been linked with a return to European club football.

"Now is a moment to rest a little bit, to think, to have conversations and then see what the decision is from the federation and from us," he said.

Despite the disappointing exit, Pochettino insisted the team had laid the foundations for the future.

"We need to keep improving," he said. "But I am proud. I think we settled the principles for the future."

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