World Cup 2026 USA Face Belgium in Last-16 Rematch
UNITED STATES · WORLD CUP
Key Facts
—World Cup 2026 USA: The hosts face Belgium in the round of 16 at Seattle Stadium on Monday.
—Rematch: The sides last met at this stage in 2014, when Belgium won 2-1 after extra time.
—Route: The USA beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0; Belgium came from 2-0 down to edge Senegal 3-2.
—Suspension: Folarin Balogun is banned after his red card against Bosnia.
—Prize: The winner reaches the World Cup quarter-finals.
Host nation the United States meet Belgium in Seattle with a quarter-final place on the line, twelve years after the Red Devils ended their run in a 2014 tie defined by Tim Howard.
World Cup 2026 USA reach the last 16 at home
The United States booked their place with a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara. Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman scored either side of a red card that left the hosts a man down.
By US Soccer’s own account, it was the country’s first World Cup knockout win since 2002. That drought had stretched across the previous five tournaments.
The victory also handed Mauricio Pochettino his third win at a World Cup, the most by any USMNT manager. The Argentine steadied a side that topped Group D with a national-record eight goals.
The hosts had already set a marker in the group stage. Wins over Paraguay and Australia carried them to top spot in Group D.
The reward is a home last-16 tie in Seattle. Kick-off is set for Monday evening on the West Coast.
A rematch twelve years in the making
For the second time in three World Cups, the USA meet Belgium in the round of 16. The sides also collided at this stage in Brazil in 2014.
That night in Salvador ended in heartbreak. Belgium won 2-1 after extra time through Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, with Julian Green pulling one back late.
The match is remembered above all for Tim Howard. The goalkeeper made a World Cup-record 16 saves as Belgium racked up 38 shots on the night.
Belgium still eliminated the Americans, and the memory has lingered. This tie hands Pochettino’s squad a rare shot at redemption on home soil.
How Belgium survived Senegal
Belgium reached Seattle in astonishing fashion. According to FIFA’s match report, they trailed Senegal 2-0 with five minutes left before Lukaku and Youri Tielemans forced extra time.
Habib Diarra headed Senegal in front midway through the first half. Ismaila Sarr doubled the lead early in the second to leave Belgium staring at the exit.
Substitutes Thomas Meunier and Romelu Lukaku sparked the revival before Tielemans headed home a Leandro Trossard cross to force extra time. The decisive penalty followed a VAR review deep in the second period.
Tielemans then won it from the spot beyond 124 minutes. It was the latest winning goal in World Cup history, and the second time Belgium had recovered from two goals down to win a knockout tie, after their 2018 comeback against Japan.
Balogun ban reshapes the USA attack
The hosts must now plan without Balogun. His 64th-minute red card against Bosnia carries an automatic suspension for the Belgium tie.
That removes a striker who had just matched Landon Donovan for the second-most USMNT goals at a single World Cup. His absence is a real blow to Pochettino.
Ricardo Pepi and Josh Sargent offer alternatives, though neither brings Balogun’s pace in behind. Christian Pulisic will again be asked to carry the creative load.
Expect a cautious American set-up built on the defence that has produced two clean sheets in four games. Discipline will matter against Belgium’s experienced forwards.
What a World Cup 2026 USA win would mean
Victory would carry the United States into a World Cup quarter-final for the first time since 2002. That side reached the last eight in Asia before losing to Germany.
The winner of this tie meets the survivor of the all-European bracket involving Spain, Portugal, Austria and Croatia. A deep run on home soil would be transformative for the game in the United States.
Belgium, meanwhile, are chasing a first World Cup semi-final since 2018. Their golden generation is ageing but remains dangerous in tight matches.
Seattle Stadium promises a partisan, roaring crowd on Monday. The hosts will not lack for backing as they try to avenge 2014.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When do the USA play Belgium in the round of 16?
The tie is scheduled for Monday at Seattle Stadium. Kick-off falls in the evening on the West Coast.
Where is the USA vs Belgium match being played?
The game is at Seattle Stadium in Seattle. Belgium stayed in the city after beating Senegal there.
Why is Folarin Balogun suspended for the match?
He was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina. A straight red card brings an automatic one-match ban.
When did the USA last play Belgium at a World Cup?
They met in the 2014 round of 16. Belgium won 2-1 after extra time despite Tim Howard’s record 16 saves.
What does the winner of USA vs Belgium get?
A place in the World Cup quarter-finals. The United States are chasing their first last-eight spot since 2002.
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