Belgium knocked the United States out 4-1 in Seattle, the last host nation gone after Canada and Mexico, a World Cup first before the quarter-finals. Balogun started under his reversed ban and changed nothing. Spain sent Ronaldo home 1-0, and Argentina beat Egypt 2-0 to leave Morocco as Africa's sole survivor. Belgium, UEFA and 50 MEPs are still fighting the ruling that FIFA will not explain.
Every host built this World Cup and is out before the quarter-finals; Balogun's reversal still has no explanation.
Belgium beat the United States 4-1 in Seattle on 6 July, sending the last of three co-hosts out before the quarter-finals and leaving the tournament to its visitors.
Belgium beat the United States 4-1 in Seattle on 6 July, Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice, to knock out the last of the World Cup's three co-hosts before the quarter-finals.
It's the earliest a World Cup has lost every host nation. Belgium now face Spain at SoFi Stadium on 10 July, with no home team left in the last eight.
Mikel Merino scored in the 91st minute in Houston as Spain edged Portugal 1-0, ending what is widely reported as Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup.
Spain edged past Portugal 1-0 in Houston on 6 July, substitute Mikel Merino turning in a 91st-minute chance teed up by fellow substitute Ferran Torres, all but ending Cristiano Ronaldo's international career at 41.
Ronaldo had already been substituted when Merino struck, so he could not save it. His exit follows Neymar's retirement, closing two of football's biggest careers within 48 hours.
Argentina beat Egypt 2-0 in Atlanta on 7 July to reach the quarter-finals, leaving Morocco as the only African side still standing.
Argentina beat Egypt 2-0 in Atlanta on 7 July to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, with the holders' place in the last eight now confirmed.
Egypt's exit leaves Morocco as the only African side left in the draw, out of ten that entered, with Argentina still waiting to learn their next opponent.
FIFA's Appeal Committee ruled Belgium's challenge to Folarin Balogun's reinstatement inadmissible, and UEFA called the reversal 'incomprehensible' in its first intervention.
United States×2QatarFIFA's Appeal Committee ruled the Royal Belgian Football Association's appeal against Folarin Balogun's reinstatement 'inadmissible' on 6 July, and UEFA called the reversal 'incomprehensible' in its first comment on the case.
Belgium accuses FIFA of breaching its own rules and vows to keep fighting. The dispute now hinges on whether Belgium escalates to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
FairSquare expanded its ethics complaint against FIFA president Gianni Infantino to name the Balogun reversal, with 50 MEPs writing to back it.
FairSquare, a London human rights group, has widened its ethics complaint against FIFA president Gianni Infantino to name the Balogun reversal, backed now by 50 members of the European Parliament.
Infantino denies steering the decision, saying it was for FIFA's own bodies to settle. Donald Trump says he only asked for a review, not a reversal, of Balogun's red card.
AI-assisted, human-edited under the editorial responsibility of Bannermedia Ltd. Reviewed by Ed Woodcock on 7 July 2026. Editorial standards.
