Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III took to social media after the United States Men’s National Soccer Team fell 1‑4 to Belgium in a World Cup match, calling the performance “unprepared” and “embarrassing.”
A Stinging Rebuke
The final whistle confirmed a 1‑4 scoreline, with Belgium netting four goals while the U.S. could only manage a single strike from Malik Tillman. Belgium’s attack featured Charles De Ketelaere, Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku, who helped shape the victory.
Despite the setback, the Americans had begun the tournament on a high note, finishing atop their group even after a defeat to Türkiye.
Griffin, while conceding that Belgium’s quality was evident, used the platform to lambast the U.S. side for lacking cohesion and intensity.
The criticism extended to a disciplinary episode involving forward Falorin Balogun, who was shown a straight red card in a prior fixture; the President of the United States subsequently placed a call to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to discuss the incident.
In response, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee lifted the automatic one‑match suspension imposed on Balogun, allowing him to feature in the Belgium match.
Overall, the episode underscored both the competitive gap highlighted by Belgium’s dominance and the off‑field narratives that continue to swirl around the U.S. squad.