United States coach Mauricio Pochettino refused to blame the controversy over Folarin Balogun’s availability for his team’s 4-1 World Cup defeat to Belgium on Monday, although he admitted he was “disappointed” and “disappointed” by the reaction.

Preparations for the match in Seattle were affected by FIFA’s decision to clear Balogun to play despite the striker receiving a red card in the previous round. The decision comes after reports that US President Donald Trump had contacted FIFA, although football’s governing body insisted its disciplinary decision was taken independently.

Belgium challenged the decision before the appeal was rejected, prompting Pochettino’s repeated defense Availability of Balogun In the days before the knockout match.

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

“Today we were not good. We don’t need to look for excuses,” Pochettino said. “Whatever was happening around was around, but it was not a situation that affected us. I think it had no impact on our performance. It is not an excuse, and we cannot make any excuses. It was not our day.”

usa vs belgium, FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16: highlight

Pochettino acknowledged that he was personally hurt by the criticism that followed FIFA’s decision, adding that he simply respected the governing body’s decision.

He accused critics of “mixing” politics with FIFA’s disciplinary process, saying, “I am very disappointed and disappointed with the people who should understand this situation.”

“But personally, what does that mean? If my position is ‘I’m the head coach, this is the rule that a player can be available’ to be insulted or receive a lot of bad messages or threats?”

“My position was to train the team, and if you have Balogun available because the FIFA disciplinary committee has allowed you to have the player, it is not a problem. Personally I feel very disappointed with a lot of people.”

‘We are not good as a team’

On the field, the United States failed to repeat the performances that had taken them through the group stage and knockout rounds. Belgium dominated the competition’s major matches, with the hosts unable to recover after conceding two consecutive goals.

“As a team we didn’t show our real quality,” Pochettino said.

“We never got into the game. Belgium was better than us and that’s all.”

The Americans briefly found a way back into the contest when Malik Tillman equalized, but Belgium quickly restored the lead before falling behind in the second half.

“Even when we scored a goal, in the next action we scored a goal,” Pochettino said. “Normally you can’t accept in that moment.”

“It was a very bad day. It was not our day, collectively or individually. In a tournament like the World Cup, when it happens in the knockout stage, you are out and you need to go home.”

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

Pochettino also remained uncertain about 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 let’s take some rest, think, talk and then see what decision is taken from the federation and our side,” he said.

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

“We need to continue to improve,” he said. “But I’m proud. I think we’ve set principles for the future.”

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