Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between the United States and Belgium, US head coach Pochettino attended a press conference to answer media questions.

Hello Mauricio. What's your reaction to Balogun being able to play tomorrow? The Belgian coach said he felt it was like an April Fool's joke, and he wanted to hear your reaction.

My reaction is that I think everyone who truly loves the sport and believes in sportsmanship and integrity will celebrate this decision. We were punished enough in the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, where we played with 10 men for over 30 minutes due to a completely unfair ruling. This is not just because I am the head coach of the US team and I need to defend my team, but because I believe the vast majority of people would agree that it was an unfair red card. If we had conceded a goal and lost that game, we might not be sitting here today talking about this. That's why I understand Rudi (Garcia), I love Rudi, he is a great coach and a good person, and of course he needs to defend his team. But I believe integrity and ethics are universal values. It is very fair not to punish us further; I think the previous punishment was sufficient. Now we need to focus on the game. Similar situations have happened in the past, and we should celebrate this fair decision instead of dwelling on it. Now we need to focus on tomorrow's difficult match against Belgium.

Hello Mauricio. When did you learn about this decision? Were you involved in the efforts to overturn the ruling?

I was not involved. I only found out today before training.

What's your opinion on President Trump's social media post expressing his delight at the decision being overturned? There were reports that he was involved.

Sorry, who did you say?

President Trump posted on social media.

I didn't see it. I was too busy with training, showering, and rushing to eat half a burrito in the car. So I didn't have time to check social media.

Hello Mauricio. You said you weren't involved, but can you tell us anything about the process of rescinding this red card?

It was a normal process. Of course, the FA put in a lot of effort, and they have been working hard to defend our position. I was not involved; I was only focused on preparing the team for tomorrow's match against Belgium and trying out different options.

Hello Mauricio. I'd like to know how today's training went, and if everyone is more motivated now that Balogun can play?

For us, it's a natural process. I believe our strength lies in these 26 players. Although Balogun scored three goals, the team's ability to survive with one less player was outstanding. Whether Balogun is available or not, we will start with 11 players tomorrow. Of course, having all players means better tools and more options for the coach.

Hello Mauricio. When a politician like Trump directly calls Infantino to ask FIFA to review a decision, is that good or bad for football?

We cannot mix these things. This was a decision made by FIFA based on evidence. Such instances of overturning wrong decisions should be celebrated in football. Some decisions are made by VAR through slow motion, which often doesn't reflect the true situation on the field. Anyone who has played football knows what is intentional and what is unintentional. The problem is not with VAR itself, but with who is operating it. It's like who is driving a Ferrari or a Mercedes-Benz. We don't have these sponsors here, I'm just making an analogy, like Formula One racing. For me, the key is fairness. If our opponents tomorrow were banned due to an unfair decision, I would also feel regret. So I think this decision is good for football itself.

Hello Mauricio. I want to ask about tomorrow's match. So far, this has been a great FIFA World Cup for your team. You've talked about wanting to leave a rich legacy. To what extent do you think the success of this legacy depends on tomorrow's result against Belgium?

The players are the ones who create the legacy; I am just a small part of it. The legacy does not depend on a single result, but on the journey we experience together. I believe the legacy already exists, it exists in the hearts of fans and people. I remember after the match against Australia, we saw children of different ages playing football on the roadside, and this love for football is growing rapidly in this country. The players are the ones who deserve all the credit for this.

Hello Mauricio. Why do you think FIFA's decision is fair? Do you understand Belgium's surprise about it?

I don't comment on opponents because I have a lot of respect for them. I think the decision is fair because it should never have been a red card. It was a refereeing error, and the previous punishment was too harsh for us. This has happened in the past and is not unprecedented. I celebrate this decision because it corrects an error, which is good for the sport of football itself.

Hello Mauricio. Coaching a national team and a club team are very different, with different working hours and content. How much of your own mark do you feel you've put on this US team?

I think all teams carry the imprint of the coaching staff. In our previous warm-up matches, such as against Senegal, Germany, Australia, Japan, Uruguay, and Paraguay, the team began to understand our demands. I am proud of the players; we have found a good balance, and the team's current performance reflects our understanding of football.

Hello coach. The US team eliminating European teams in the knockout stage might be making history, and the team is playing very aggressively and offensively. But I hear more discussions about African teams or Colombia, and relatively less about your US team. Do you feel your work gets enough recognition?

Thank you for the compliment. Actually, I feel I've already received too much praise; all the credit should go to the players. We have immense respect for the Belgian team; they have very experienced world-class players. Tomorrow's match will be a huge challenge for us, and we hope to perform better than we did in March, and also hope to get a good result with the support of our home fans.

Hello Mauricio. Regarding Balogun, before he learned about the decision being overturned, he conducted himself very properly in front of the media, saying that even if he felt it was unfair, he needed to set an example for children across the nation, and he even shook hands with the referee. As a coach, what do you think of the way he handled this?

This is a good lesson: if you behave properly, you might get rewarded. I'm glad he has such a mentality, staying calm even when feeling wronged. That's not easy for a player.

Hello Mauricio. What message do you want to send to those who say the United States is not a soccer country?

Before the FIFA World Cup started, I might have held the same view. But through this FIFA World Cup, seeing the packed stadiums after Messi joined Inter Miami, and witnessing the enthusiastic atmosphere in cities like Seattle, Los Angeles, and Santa Clara, you realize the immense potential for football in this country. I'm delighted that we can contribute a small part to the development of this sport here. Football is rapidly growing in this country; it's not just a sport, it's becoming a culture.

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