Belgium requests new FIFA training ground after LA pitch fails standards

Belgium requests new FIFA training ground after LA pitch fails standards

The Belgian Football Association has submitted a formal request to FIFA for a new training facility in Los Angeles after determining that the current pitch at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) does not meet minimum requirements.

The setback comes just two days before Belgium is scheduled to face Spain in the World Cup quarterfinals. According to reporting from the Belgian outlet LeSoir and journalist Ben Jacobs, the national team arrived in Los Angeles only to find the LMU facility substandard.

The "Red Devils" have requested to move their preparations to the facilities of MLS club LA Galaxy. The team already has its final training session scheduled at the LA Galaxy grounds for Thursday. While talks are reportedly underway to secure the site for Wednesday's session, the association is currently awaiting a decision from FIFA.

The dispute over facilities follows a dominant performance by Belgium in the round of 16, where they eliminated the host United States with a 4-1 victory in Seattle. The match was characterized by Belgian tactical superiority, utilizing long balls from Thibaut Courtois to break the American press and offensive thrusts via Leandro Trossard and Dodi Lukebakio, who found Charles De Ketelaere with crosses.

The victory in Seattle served as a moment of sporting justice following a political firestorm involving the U.S. Team. Prior to the match, FIFA overturned a red card suspension for U.S. Striker Folarin Balogun. This reversal followed a direct appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

The intervention sparked global backlash and claims of corruption. UEFA expressed disbelief, stating the decision crossed a red line. Former FIFA chief Sepp Blatter also criticized the move, arguing that red cards should be overturned by rules and evidence rather than political phone calls.

The controversy appeared to galvanize the Belgian squad. In the wake of the 4-1 win, Romelo Lukaku celebrated by performing a dance step inspired by Trump. Sources indicate that the "off pitch shenanigans" served to motivate a Belgian side that had experienced a tepid tournament up until the elimination of the U.S.

Belgium's advancement to the quarterfinals is part of a broader European sweep of the round of 16. Only Argentina and Morocco remain as non-UEFA countries in the competition. Other European teams moving forward include:

• Spain: Advanced with a 1-0 shutout against Portugal, featuring a stoppage-time winner by Mikel Merino.
• France: Secured a 1-0 win over Paraguay via a 70th-minute penalty by Kylian Mbappe.
• England: Defeated Mexico 3-2 at the Estadio Azteca despite playing most of the second half with 10 men.

The tournament continues to see high-profile exits for legendary players. Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career ended with Portugal's loss to Spain, and Neymar's Brazil was eliminated by Norway in a 2-1 upset led by a brace from Erling Haaland.

As Belgium awaits FIFA's ruling on the LA Galaxy training grounds, they prepare for their quarterfinal clash with Spain, a team that has recorded five shutouts in the tournament thus far.