The USA take on Belgium in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, aiming to reach their first quarterfinal since 2002. Preview, match details, head-to-head, team news, key battles and players to watch.
Folarin Balogun (R) of the United States celebrates after scoring during the round of 32 match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in San Francisco, the United States, July 1, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua via IANS)
Co-hosts, the United States will look to end a 24-year wait for a place in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals when they face Belgium in a tantalising Round of 16 clash at Lumen Field, Seattle, on Tuesday (IST).
Mauricio Pochettino’s side has enjoyed an impressive campaign on home soil and now stands one victory away from reaching the last eight for the first time since the 2002 World Cup, where they defeated Mexico before falling to Germany in the quarterfinals.
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Belgium, however, has largely dominated this fixture over the years. The two nations have met seven times, with the Red Devils winning six of those encounters. The USA’s only victory came in the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930, when they claimed a 3-0 win.
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Their most memorable World Cup meeting came in Brazil in 2014, when Belgium edged the Americans 2-1 after extra time in the Round of 16. Despite the defeat, goalkeeper Tim Howard produced a legendary performance, making a tournament-record 15 saves.
The sides also met in a pre-World Cup friendly in Atlanta earlier this year, where Belgium emerged convincing 5-2 winners.
The United States have received a major boost ahead of the knockout clash after FIFA overturned the red card shown to striker Folarin Balogun during the 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino had insisted the dismissal was incorrect, and FIFA’s disciplinary committee later rescinded the suspension, making the tournament’s leading American scorer available for selection.
Balogun’s return is significant for the hosts, restoring the attacking structure around which Pochettino has built his frontline. The striker has already scored three goals in the tournament.
Neither side has enjoyed a straightforward route to the Round of 16. The USA played the final 35 minutes against Bosnia and Herzegovina with ten men before sealing a disciplined 2-0 victory.
Belgium’s passage was even more dramatic. Trailing Senegal 2-0 with only five minutes remaining, they scored twice in stoppage time to force extra time before Youri Tielemans converted a penalty in the 125th minute to complete an astonishing comeback.
The Americans have been one of the tournament’s most entertaining teams, scoring at least two goals in each of their four matches. In doing so, they became the first nation from outside Europe or South America to score two or more goals in four consecutive FIFA World Cup matches.
Belgium also arrive unbeaten, recording two wins and two draws, although much of their success has come without record goalscorer Romelu Lukaku starting a match. The 33-year-old has been used exclusively as an impact substitute as Belgium’s celebrated golden generation attempts one final deep World Cup run.
Fixture: USA vs Belgium
Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 16
Date: Tuesday, July 7 (IST)
Kick-off: 6:30 a.m. IST
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle
Winner faces: Portugal or Spain in the quarterfinals
The United States has won three of their four matches and enters the knockout stage full of confidence after defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina despite playing much of the contest with ten men.
Belgium remains unbeaten but needed a remarkable late comeback against Senegal in the previous round, recovering from two goals down to win in extra time.
Overall meetings: Belgium lead 6-1
1930 FIFA World Cup: USA 3-0 Belgium
2014 FIFA World Cup Round of 16: Belgium 2-1 USA (AET)
March 2026 Friendly: Belgium 5-2 USA
The biggest boost for the hosts is the availability of Folarin Balogun after FIFA rescinded his suspension. His return restores the attacking balance of Pochettino’s side.
For Belgium, questions remain over whether Romelu Lukaku will earn his first start of the tournament after making his impact exclusively from the bench.
The match also represents a huge opportunity for the USA to reach their first World Cup quarterfinal in 24 years, while Belgium aim to keep alive the hopes of a golden generation seeking one final shot at global glory.
The contest could be decided in midfield, where Tyler Adams will be tasked with disrupting Kevin De Bruyne’s creativity.
At the other end, Belgium’s experienced backline must find a way to contain the pace and movement of Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun in transition.
USA: Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, Tyler Adams
Belgium: Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Leandro Trossard
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