Belgium's growing support and quarter-final preparations

By Evelyn Mensah — 10 July 2026 — 3 min read

Belgium’s growing support and quarter-final preparations

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia has stated that the team has gained “millions and millions” of new supporters. This surge in backing comes after events surrounding Folarin Balogun’s red card and FIFA’s decision regarding his ban. Garcia believes this newfound support will provide “incredible strength” as Belgium prepares to face Spain in the quarter-final match.

The team’s victory against the USA in the round of 16, where they secured a 4-1 win, was preceded by controversy. Donald Trump reportedly contacted FIFA to challenge Balogun’s red card, which he received against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Despite FIFA’s decision regarding the striker’s ban, Belgium still defeated the USA.

Following their win, Belgium’s football federation’s social media accounts posted “overturn this,” and players were seen celebrating by mimicking Trump’s dance. Garcia confirmed he had spoken with Balogun, assuring him he was not to blame for the lobbying efforts or FIFA’s response.

The upcoming match against Spain will take place at SoFi Stadium, with a significant portion of the stadium’s capacity expected to be filled by American supporters. Garcia, however, expressed confidence that his team is ready, having overcome a challenging reception against the co-hosts in Seattle.

Garcia noted that the conditions for the upcoming match would be similar to the difficulties faced in the round of 16. He emphasized the team’s increased popularity, stating that the original 12 million Belgium fans have now been joined by millions more, which he expects to be a source of significant strength.

Challenges and team confidence

Belgium has also encountered issues with its training facilities. The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) issued a statement indicating that an inspection of the proposed training pitch at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) revealed that the playing surface did not meet the required minimum standards for their training sessions. The RBFA subsequently requested that FIFA relocate their training base, a request that was granted.

The team will now utilize the training facilities of MLS side LA Galaxy in Carson in preparation for the quarter-final against Spain at SoFi Stadium. LMU, however, appeared to dispute Belgium’s assessment, stating that their field is regularly tested and in top condition, having been used by various professional sports teams.

Garcia acknowledged that Spain is considered one of the tournament favorites, known for their strength individually and as a collective over an extended period. He highlighted their proficiency in ball possession and their record of not conceding a goal in the tournament. Despite these statistics, Garcia expressed belief that records are meant to be broken and that Belgium would strive to score.

Belgium is currently the second-highest scoring team in the World Cup. Garcia expressed confidence in his squad, stating that he knows their character and capabilities, particularly when facing adversity. He mentioned the team’s ability to advance through a challenging group that included France and Norway.

Garcia also highlighted the depth of his squad, noting that he has two strong lineups and many quality players on the bench, including one of the best strikers. He jokingly suggested that Romelu Lukaku was only pretending to be a substitute.

Lukaku, who was present alongside Garcia, explained his role within the team. Despite starting only one game in the tournament, he has scored three times and provided an assist. He has maintained a high scoring rate, including a goal against the USA, and his total with the national team stands at 93 goals. This places him among an elite group of international goal scorers, with only Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ali Daei, and Sunil Chhetri having more.

Lukaku shared that he had discussions with the coach in April to prepare for a specific role in the tournament. He emphasized the importance of the team and playing strategically, especially given his limited playing time for Napoli before the tournament. He concluded by stating that the team is well-prepared physically, mentally, and tactically, and they aim to play a perfect game.