EXPLAINED: 17 | Vintage Vibes

Same old story: US men's soccer team has been stagnant for 25 years

The U.S. men's national soccer team remains stagnant despite growth in American soccer

The Independent UK · Jul 7

Belgium's answer to Trump's interference: A 4-1 pasting of US

Belgium decisively defeated the United States with a 4-1 score in a World Cup match. Belgian players celebrated their victory by mocking President Trump's signature dance moves. This win advanced Belgium to the quarterfinals, ending the United States' tournament run. The match became entangled in political debate over presidential influence…

The Times of India · Jul 7

America’s World Cup run, a state fair, the reflecting pool, the list goes on: Everything Trump touches turns to ash

Trump’s superpower is the reverse Midas touch. It’s not just the Knicks: his policy decisions and his business ventures were own goals long before the US lost an embarrassing World Cup knockout match to Belgium, writes Holly Baxter

The Independent UK · Jul 7

'Everything Trump Touches Dies': Furious Reactions as POTUS' Curse Blamed For USMNT World Cup Exit Against Belgium

USMNT supporters blame President Trump for their World Cup exit after a 4-1 defeat by Belgium, citing his controversial intervention with FIFA as a 'Trump curse'.

International Business Times UK · Jul 7

Trump's World Cup Intervention Shows His Sore Loser Philosophy

In sports as in foreign policy, he treats cheating as a virtue. And it doesn’t even work.

Reason · Jul 7

After Donald Trump’s FIFA Intervention Backfired, All The Ways Belgium Trolled The US After World Cup Exit

Here are all the ways Belgium appeared to mock the United States after its "embarrassing" 2026 World Cup exit.

Bored Panda · Jul 7

The US had the biggest opportunity in the history of American soccer. They wasted it

The USA men’s run at a home World Cup had attracted people who usually ignore soccer. Instead of triumph, they saw a humbling by Belgium

The Guardian - US · Jul 7

SI:AM | U.S. Eliminated From World Cup With Nightmare Loss to Belgium

The co-hosts never stood a chance in a sloppy match that prematurely ended their tournament.

Sports Illustrated · Jul 7

Why World Cup exit showed the limits to the USA’s power – on and off the pitch

WORLD CUP 2026: Hit by a political wrecking ball ahead of their round of 16 encounter with Belgium, even a helping hand from President Trump could not take the USA into the quarter-finals. Richard Jolly examines what comes next for Mauricio Pochettino and his side

The Independent UK · Jul 7

How to destroy a feelgood factor with a sad star-spangled World Cup response

In today’s Football Daily: USA. USA. US … oh

The Guardian - UK · Jul 7