Why Diego Moreira’s Snapchat message lit the fuse in the US-Belgium row

Belgium’s 2026 World Cup last-16 victory over the United States has reignited a global debate, with forward Diego Moreira’s Snapchat post adding fresh fuel to the fire. Five minutes on social media were enough to confirm the shift: this time, nearly the entire world backed Belgium against the United States in the Round of 16. The phenomenon was stoked by the absence of Folarin Balogun, who was not suspended despite receiving a red card in the Round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The decision fuelled allegations of impropriety, with United States president Donald Trump had influenced proceedings. Belgium approached the match with a mix of revenge and determination — a mentality the Red Devils had lacked since the tournament’s start. The gamble paid off: a resounding win secured a quarter-final tie with Spain, marking a successful World Cup campaign for the Belgians. Players, including Romelu Lukaku, celebrated the victory by mimicking Donald Trump’s signature dance.

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Rudi Garcia’s squad did not let the qualification pass unnoticed. After Lukaku’s goal sealed the result, the players celebrated with the now-famous Trump dance. The message posted by Diego Moreira on Snapchat reinforced the impression that the Red Devils played with extra fire. The winger of RC Strasbourg Alsace, who did not feature in the match, posted: “You can change the rules, invent new ones, but it will not help. God is in it.”

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As one family, the Belgians — whether they played or not — celebrated a historic qualification: the third time in four World Cup editions that Belgium has reached the quarter-finals, and the first-ever victory in the country’s history against a host nation. Moreira shared the terms of his Snapchat story on the platform, including the full quote and context.