‘Trump Curse’ Hits Team USA Crashing Out of World Cup
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The so-called Trump Curse has reached the World Cup. After a personal intervention by President Donald Trump helped clear U.S. star Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium, Team USA crashed out of the tournament in humiliating fashion — losing 4-1 in the round of 16. Now the internet is having a field day.
Across social media, fans and critics are mocking Trump’s involvement in the biggest sporting event on U.S. soil, asking whether the president’s support has become a bad omen for American teams.
Trump Curse Goes Viral
The controversy started before kickoff. Balogun had been suspended after receiving a red card in the previous match. Under normal circumstances, the decision would have ruled him out of the Belgium clash. But Trump openly admitted that he contacted FIFA boss Gianni Infantino and pushed for a review.
FIFA then suspended the one-match ban for a one-year probationary period, allowing Balogun to play. The red card itself was not erased, and Balogun was fined $40,000.
The decision caused international outrage. UEFA officials complained that FIFA had crossed a line. Critics in Europe accused the world soccer body of bending its rules after pressure from the U.S. president. Belgium protested the decision — but FIFA rejected the complaint.
Then came the match. Belgium did not just beat the United States. Belgium humiliated them. The final score: 4-1. For Trump’s critics, the timing was perfect. The president intervened. The star player returned. The U.S. still collapsed.
Belgium Had The Last Laugh
After the game, Belgian players and fans celebrated not only the victory, but also the controversy around it. Online, Belgian supporters mocked the U.S. with a simple message: overturn this.
The phrase immediately became a viral jab at FIFA, Trump, and the failed American rescue mission. The defeat was especially painful because the 2026 World Cup was supposed to be a showcase for the United States. Trump had repeatedly tried to present the tournament as a symbol of American strength and prestige.
Instead, the U.S. exit has now turned into another political spectacle. The “Trump Curse” narrative also revived memories of the NBA Finals in New York. Trump attended a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden — and Knicks fans later joked that his presence had cursed the team after a painful loss.
Other sporting events are now being dragged into the same online debate. Of course, there is no such thing as a real sports curse. Belgium won because it was better on the field. The U.S. lost because it defended poorly and looked overwhelmed.
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