A place in the World Cup quarterfinals is at stake when the United States meets Belgium at Lumen Field in Seattle on Monday night.
The hosts are chasing their first quarter-final since 2002, while Belgium will be hoping to build on one of the tournament’s most dramatic comebacks in the round of 32.
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The United States won Group D by six points, before comfortably beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0. With the home crowd behind them – in Seattle – they will hope to use the atmosphere as an extra player against one of Europe’s most experienced national teams.
In the way is a Belgian team that showed enormous willpower in the previous round. They trailed 0-2 against Senegal with minutes left – before Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans converted to extra time, and Tielemans scored a penalty in the 120th minute to secure a 3-2 victory.
Belgium also have history on their side: they won 5-2 in a friendly earlier this year, and have won six of seven previous meetings with the United States. But playoff football tends to offer surprises – and the United States feels they have a real chance of reaching the quarter-finals in front of their own supporters.
The winner will face Portugal or Spain in the quarter-finals.
Team news
The United States got a huge boost when Folarin Balogun was cleared to play – despite initially being suspended after the red card against Bosnia. The striker has scored three goals in the World Cup and is expected to lead the attack.
Mark McKenzie and Cristian Roldan will be assessed before kick-off, while Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie are all expected to start.
Belgium are still keeping an eye on Zeno Debast, who is uncertain due to injury. Lukaku made a big impact off the bench against Senegal and could again be used as a substitute – while Charles De Ketelaere is expected to start in attack. Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku and Leandro Trossard are all ready for the attacking line.
Probable line-ups
United States (XI): Freese – Freeman, Richards, Ream, Robinson – Tillman, Adams, McKennie – Dest, Balogun, Pulisic
Belgium (XI): Courtois – Castagne, Théate, Mechele, De Cuyper – Vanaken, Tielemans – Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku – De Ketelaere
Kick-off: Monday 6 July at 01:00 BST (Tuesday night)
Location: Lumen Field, Seattle
Key figures
- USA is chasing its first World Cup quarter-final since 2002
- Folarin Balogun has scored three goals in the 2026 World Cup
- Christian Pulisic has been directly involved in several goals in the championship
- Belgium are unbeaten at the 2026 World Cup – with two draws and two wins
- Belgium have scored in all four of their games in the championship
- Belgium have won six out of seven previous meetings with the United States
- Belgium won 5-2 in a friendly against the United States in March 2026
- Belgium have reached at least the quarter-finals in two of the last three World Cups they have qualified for
- Kevin De Bruyne has participated in four different World Cup finals for Belgium
Our Prediction
This has the potential to be one of the most entertaining matches in the last eight. Belgium possess immense experience and attacking quality – but their defensive problems were exposed against Senegal, and they may struggle with the intensity of a USA team playing in front of a home crowd.
The United States have looked well organised throughout the championship and with Balogun back alongside Pulisic, they could decide a close game and reach the quarter-finals.
Divination: USA 2–1 Belgium
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