USA vs Belgium – Match preview and team news
· Yahoo Sports
Seattle Stadium stages a World Cup last-16 clash between the United States and Belgium on Monday night, with a quarter-final against Portugal or Spain awaiting the winner.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have won three of their four matches at this tournament and arrive on the back of a 2–0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Belgium, despite possessing one of the tournament’s most talented squads, have been unconvincing — drawing with Egypt and Iran before needing an extraordinary late comeback to beat Senegal 3–2 after extra time.
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The match carries a contentious pre-match backdrop: FIFA overturned Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban on Sunday, making the US striker available despite being sent off against Bosnia.
USA vs Belgium – Match preview and team news
- Date: Tuesday, 7 July 2026
- Kick-off: 01:00 BST
- Venue: Seattle Stadium
- Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)
- Last meeting: Belgium 5–2 USA, March 2026, friendly
Team news
USA
Balogun is available after FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended his red card ban, citing Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The Monaco striker has scored three goals at this tournament and his reinstatement transforms Pochettino’s attacking options. Pochettino is expected to switch from the 4-3-3 used against Bosnia to a 3-5-2, allowing Balogun and Christian Pulisic to operate together up front.
Sergino Dest and Antonee Robinson cover as wing-backs. Mark McKenzie and Cristian Roldan remain doubts, but neither is projected to be a starter. Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Malik Tillman hold the midfield three. Alex Freeman, Chris Richards and captain Tim Ream form the back three. Matt Freese continues in goal.
Belgium
Zeno Debast remains the only absentee, his leg injury having kept him out of the entire tournament. Nathan Ngoy is suspended after his red card against Iran, leaving Rudi Garcia with a settled defensive unit of Castagne, Mechele, Theate and De Cuyper. Nicolas Raskin is expected to replace Hans Vanaken in midfield alongside Youri Tielemans.
Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku retain their wide roles behind Romelu Lukaku, who starts after his impactful substitute appearance against Senegal. Leandro Trossard is fit despite concerns over an injury. Thibaut Courtois continues in goal.
Form
USA
Pochettino’s side topped Group D with wins over Paraguay and Australia before rotating against Türkiye. The 2–0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the last 32 was controlled and professional — the USA have scored at least twice in all four of their matches and created 12 big chances across the tournament, one of the highest tallies of any side remaining.
Balogun’s three goals have been central to their attacking output, and his availability significantly shifts the balance of options. Belgium beat the USA 5–2 in their most recent meeting in March and have won six of the previous seven encounters. The only US win came at the 1930 World Cup.
Belgium
Garcia’s side have been one of the tournament’s least convincing survivors. Draws with Egypt and Iran — both lower-ranked opponents — suggested a team not functioning to its considerable potential. A 3–1 win over New Zealand provided fleeting relief before the Senegal match produced the most dramatic moment of their campaign.
Trailing 2–0 with five minutes of normal time remaining, Lukaku pulled one back before Tielemans’ equaliser sent the match to extra time, where Tielemans then converted a penalty to complete the turnaround. Belgium have conceded 4 goals and allowed 5.5 xG — one of the highest figures among remaining teams. The De Bruyne-Doku combination and Lukaku’s physical presence in the final third remain genuine match-winning weapons.
Predicted lineups
USA predicted XI (3-5-2): Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream; Dest, McKennie, Adams, Tillman, Robinson; Balogun, Pulisic
Belgium predicted XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Castagne, Mechele, Theate, De Cuyper; Raskin, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; Lukaku
How to watch USA vs Belgium?
The match will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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