Glee, snark reigns after American loss | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Belgium’s 4-1 World Cup win over the United States on Monday triggered a wave of snark that centered on FIFA’s decision to reinstate U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. The Belgium team referenced the controversy on social media, implicitly pointing to the reversal of a ban that would normally have followed a red card in the prior match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The eligibility change came after President Donald Trump called FIFA head Gianni Infantino, a move that drew European outrage and claims of improper tournament interference. After Belgium advanced to a quarterfinal against Spain, European reactions remained sharp across outlets including Politico, The Financial Times and Le Soir. The wider backdrop included a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where world leaders were meeting, including Belgian officials tied to Ukraine and U.S. support priorities. European celebrations also included political-style posts and music cues.