USA vs Belgium Official Lineups, Monday, 6 July 2026, World Cup Round of 16

Belgium triumphed over the United States in the World Cup Round of 16 at Lumen Field in Seattle on Monday, July 6, 2026, with a score of 4-1. The USA was eliminated as Belgium showcased its strength on the field. Controversially, forward Folarin Balogun participated after President Donald Trump successfully intervened with FIFA to lift his red-card suspension. Charles De Ketelaere from Atalanta scored two goals (9', 33'), Hans Vanaken took advantage of a goalkeeping blunder (57'), and Romelu Lukaku from Napoli capped off the victory with a goal in stoppage time (90+3'). Malik Tillman netted the only goal for the USA. Notably, the Serie A players from Belgium played a significant role, contributing three goals to the win! Belgium now moves on to the quarterfinals, where they will face the formidable Spain at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

The main topic of discussion was the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun's involvement, which ignited a significant international uproar. Why was this the case? After receiving a red card in the previous match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, his automatic one-game suspension was controversially postponed and reviewed due to direct communication between President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. UEFA strongly condemned this decision, accusing FIFA of yielding to political influence.

This match featured seven Serie A players. For the USA, Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie played the full match, while AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic was substituted in the 59th minute for Sebastian Berhalter. For Belgium, AC Milan defender Koni de Winter was on the bench, Napoli midfielder Kevin de Bruyne was also a substitute, and Atalanta forward Charles de Ketelaere, who scored two goals, was replaced in the 67th minute by Napoli forward Romelu Lukaku, who added another goal. Additionally, AC Milan forward Alexis Saelemaekers came on for Leandro Trossard in the 89th minute.

 

FIFA Ranking

Belgium is positioned at No. 9 as they enter the tournament, whereas the United States holds the No. 17 spot.

 

How did they make it to the Round of 16?

The USA progressed from their group with a record of 2-1, allowing them to enter the knockout rounds. In the Round of 32, they achieved a 2-0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina, although their key striker Folarin Balogun was shown a red card. In a surprising decision by FIFA, Balogun's one-match suspension was lifted, enabling him to participate in the match against Belgium.

Belgium topped their group with 1 win and 2 draws. In the Round of 32, they achieved a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Senegal. After trailing 2-0, Belgium netted two late goals in regulation to push the game into extra time, ultimately clinching victory with a penalty from captain Youri Tielemans in the 124th minute of stoppage time.

 

👉   Click here for  Full 2026 World Cup Squad Lists – Confirmed rosters for all 48 teams.

👉  Click here for  2026 World Cup Group Stage Standings.

 



 

2 Serie A players called up for   🇺🇸  the United States National team World Cup 2026:

• Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie.


• AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic.

👉   Serie A players called up for  🇧🇪   the Belgium National team:

• AC Milan defender Koni de Winter


• Napoli midfielder Kevin de Bruyne


• Atalanta forward Charles de Ketelaere


• Napoli forward Romelu Lukaku


• AC Milan forward Alexis Saelemaekers

 

🇺🇸 USA 0 - 1 Belgium 🇧🇪

Belgium scored first in the 9th minute. Charles De Ketelaere found the net after Raskin skillfully maneuvered through the lines to seize a loose ball. With a precise pass, he set up the Atalanta player, who calmly finished into the net.



 

🇺🇸 USA 1 - 1 Belgium 🇧🇪

The United States leveled the score in the 31st minute with a goal from Malik Tillman. A deflected free kick saw the Bayer Leverkusen player find the net again. The crucial touch that deceived Courtois came from a header by Vanaken.



 

🇺🇸 USA 1 - 2 Belgium 🇧🇪

Belgium regains the lead in the 33rd minute with a goal from Charles De Ketelaere. It's definitely been the best match so far for the Atalanta player, who skillfully attacks a soft cross from Trossard and, like a true striker, heads in his second goal. What a fantastic game!



 



 

🇺🇸 USA 1 - 3 Belgium 🇧🇪

Belgium is quieting the USA with their goals! In the 57th minute, Hans Vanaken scores. A huge mistake by Freese, who, in an attempt to clear the ball after coming out early, gets touched by Charles De Ketelaere's clearance. The ball bounces to Vanaken, who from the halfway line gently places it into the net for a potentially game-changing goal.



 

🇺🇸 USA 1 - 4 Belgium 🇧🇪

At last, sealing the match in the 93rd minute is none other than Napoli's forward Romelu "Big Rom" Lukaku!!!   Another mistake by the United States in defense, and this time the Napoli striker doesn't miss, unleashing a powerful right-footed shot that beats Freese. This marks his eighth goal in the World Cup, and his third in this edition.  Lukaku becomes the first player in the history of the tournament to score in four matches coming off the bench.



 



 

Charles De Ketelaere is the player of the match

 



 

 

The Lumen Field is ready for the United States vs Belgium



 

   United States World Cup 2026 Squad: 

• Goalkeepers:  Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Matt Turner (New England Revolution)


• Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Sergino Dest (PSV), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic)


• Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen), Alejandro Zendejas (Club América)


• Forwards: Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Haji Wright (Coventry City), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Tim Weah (Marseille).

   Belgium World Cup 2026 Squad: 

• Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Mike Penders (Racing Strasbourg)


• Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Zeno Debast (Sporting), Maxim de Cuyper (Brighton), Koni de Winter (AC Milan), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Thomas Meunier (Lille), Nathan Ngoy (Lille), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge), Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt)


• Midfielders: Kevin de Bruyne (Napoli), Amadou Onana (Aston Villa), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Girona)


• Forwards: Charles de Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Lille), Romelu Lukaku (Napoli), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Diego Moreira (Strasbourg), Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal).

 

 



 

 



 

 

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 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16

🇺🇸 USA 1 - 4 Belgium 🇧🇪

Date & Time: Monday, July 6 at 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT)
Location: Lumen Field
Seattle, Washington

Referee: Adham Mohammad Tumah Makhadmeh JOR
Assistant Referee 1: Mohanmmad Alkalaf JOR
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmad Alroalle JOR
Fourth Official: Pierre Atcho GAB
Reserve AR: Boris Ditsoga GAB
Video Assistant Referee: Khamis Al Marri QAT
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Nicolas Gallo COL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Hernan Mastrangelo ARG

⚽️   Goals:

🟨   Yellow Cards:

✅    Official lineups - Tabellino:



 

Click the video to watch the USA - Belgium highlights on Monday, 6 July 2026