Before getting into this article, we need to make one thing abundantly clear: the USA does not have a soccer problem. The US Women's National Team is one of the greatest teams of all time, and they are still at the top of their game with Emma Hayes as head coach. Let's not forget that.
However, the US Men's National Team just keeps inviting criticism, and they just embarrassed themselves on the world stage... again.
The USA was given special World Cup treatment, but still lost
Ultimately, the USA had no excuse to finish anywhere but first.
Heading into the tournament, a round of 16 elimination would have been respectable. Nobody would have turned their nose up at that. However, the actions of the USMNT and, let's face it, FIFA, meant that the USA were handed a path to the final that benefited them and nobody else.
No, the bracket didn't help the USA. Cheating did. Or, at least, it should have.
We need to call it what it is: FIFA overturning Folarin Balogun's red card and allowing him to play against Belgium is cheating. At the very least, it's an unfair advantage.
Say what you will about the challenge itself—it was, at the very least, a dark yellow card. Even if you don't side with the notion that it's a red, any self-respecting team would complain about it and move on.
Ultimately, Folarin Balogun has yet to play against Belgium. Yes, the game finished 1-4 in favor of Belgium, but Balogun ghosted the entire game.
Overturn this. 🧏♂️ #USABEL pic.twitter.com/KcBAJp3Z7d
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) July 7, 2026
All Belgium did was rub salt in the already-existing wounds
Yes, the US Men's National Team embarrassed themselves last night. Even before a ball was kicked, the embarrassment was set, and Belgium didn't need to put the icing on the cake, but they did.
2026 was supposed to be a year of hope for men's soccer in the United States. Pre-existing fans of US soccer, just last month, were listening to hopecore music. Now, though, the doomcore playlist is on an infinite shuffle.
As Tim Howard reminded us all, three decades ago, when the USA last hosted the World Cup, MLS was born out of it. Any men's soccer developments that occur in the United States off the back of 2026 will be due to necessity now, rather than any sense of optimism.
If a teacher helps a student cheat on a test, you'd better hope they get an A. Anything less would be a pathetic result, and one that didn't warrant the cheating.
The USA did not get an A in the 2026 World Cup. Now, it's back to square one.
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