SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 06: Romelu Lukaku #9 of Belgium celebrates with teammates after scoring the team’s fourth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. David Ramos/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by David Ramos / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
It is Donald Trump’s signature dance, but triumphant Belgian footballers stole his “Y.M.C.A.” moves after he intervened before the match in which they knocked the United States out of the World Cup.
The Belgian team copied Trump’s unmistakable swaying fist pumps as they celebrated their 4-1 thrashing of the co-hosts on Monday, dancing and singing the song on the pitch and in the changing room.
Before the game, Trump had called FIFA and pushed for a review of a one-match ban for US star Folarin Balogun.
To widespread astonishment and anger, Balogun’s ban was suspended and he was allowed to play.
Belgian captain Youri Tielemans said his team had been fired up by the decision.
“We told ourselves we needed to do our talking on the pitch. That’s what we did today,” he said.
Trump, 80, often breaks out his Y.M.C.A. dance at rallies and speeches, drawing cheers from his supporters.
