USMNT vs. Belgium—World Cup: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

The Stars and Stripes haven’t reached the World Cup quarterfinal since 2002.

The USMNT can keep its World Cup dream alive on Monday. | Visionhaus/Getty Images (USMNT), Kristian Skeie/UEFA/Getty Images (Belgium).

The USMNT will be aiming to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time in 24 years when it takes on Belgium in Monday’s round of 16 clash at Lumen Field.

The Stars and Stripes have enjoyed an excellent campaign on home soil and emerged as peripheral contenders for the trophy, although they still have some road to travel before truly dreaming of glory. A routine 2–0 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina in the last round further boosted confidence levels after group stage wins over Paraguay and Australia.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men must be careful during Monday’s match in Seattle, though, especially given the quality Belgium possesses across its roster. The Red Devils have produced several pitiful performances to date, but rallied to a miraculous 3–2 comeback victory over Senegal most recently and still have the capacity to dazzle.

The USMNT knows Belgium’s potential all too well, suffering a 5–2 defeat to Rudi Garcia’s men back in March that marked a sixth-successive loss to the European side. That was the first meeting between the nations since their round of 16 clash at the 2014 World Cup, which Belgium won 2–1 after extra time.

Can the USMNT overcome its curse in this fixture and set up a date with Spain or Portugal in the last eight? Or will Belgium finally rise and book a quarterfinal place for the fourth time in its history?

---

USMNT vs. Belgium Score Prediction

USMNT Finds a Way

The USMNT has a good chance of advancing to the last eight. | Kohjiro Kinno/Sports Illustrated

Although both the USMNT and Belgium find themselves in the round of 16, they have undergone wildly different campaigns thus far, in terms of both performance levels and general vibes.

Three wins from four has Pochettino’s men purring at just the right moment, and they have conjured some mightily impressive displays en route to Monday’s clash. The USMNT’s high-energy approach has been fueled by home advantage and a myriad of deadly attacking options, hence why it has scored at least twice in each of its four fixtures.

Belgium, meanwhile, has been overwhelmingly poor, floundering in draws with Egypt and Iran, after which its blushes were spared by a thrashing of New Zealand—the tournament’s lowest-ranked nation before a ball was kicked. The Red Devils were dreadful for much of their encounter with Senegal, too, reliant on an illogical miracle and some good fortune to avoid elimination.

All in all, the USMNT can consider itself the marginal favorite for the upcoming duel, even if there is little separating the teams. Confidence is powerful at a major tournament, as is an army of passionate supporters, and the Stars and Stripes have both heading into the game.

• Belgium’s defensive issues: The Red Devils have an unspectacular backline, and that’s proven costly on several occasions. They have conceded four times already and allowed an expected goals (xG) total of 5.5—one of the highest of remaining teams. The USMNT are one of the tournament’s better creators, scoring 10 in total and ranking among the best nations for big chances created (12).
• A chance to rewrite history: There is something intangibly different about this crop of American players, who have the opportunity to avenge the failures of past generations. The USMNT has lost five of its six round of 16 matches at the World Cup, with the only success story coming in 2002.

Prediction: USMNT 2–1 Belgium (AET)

---

WIN FIFA WORLD CUP 2026™ FINAL TICKETS & OTHER PRIZES

Compete against the world. | Sports Illustrated

---

USMNT Predicted Lineup vs. Belgium

Folarin Balogun will be available despite his red card last time out. | Sports Illustrated

Folarin Balogun was expected to miss out on Monday’s game after being controversially sent off in the round of 16, but FIFA’s surprise decision to suspend his red card means he will be available to lead the line.

Pochettino selected a fluid 4-3-3 formation in the round of 32, but could revert to the previously preferred 3-5-2 system that would allow Christian Pulisic to partner Balogun up top.

A midfield trio of Malik Tillman, Weston McKennie and the more defensive-minded Tyler Adams should be retained, while Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson will start in the wing back roles. Alex Freeman will move into a back-three which also contains Chris Richards and captain Tim Ream.

Matt Freese will continue between the posts, meaning Pochettino’s formational change might be the only alteration he makes.

USMNT predicted lineup vs. Belgium (3-5-2): Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream; Dest, McKennie, Adams, Tillman, Robinson; Balogun, Pulisic.

---

Belgium Predicted Lineup vs. USMNT

Romelu Lukaku will definitely join the starting XI. | Sports Illustrated

Zeno Debast is the only fitness concern for Belgium, the Sporting CP defender having missed the entirety of the tournament to date.

Garcia should start Romelu Lukaku after an impactful performance from the bench last time out, while the position of Jérémy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne in the XI should be under no serious threat despite both players being withdrawn before the hour against Senegal.

Nicolas Raskin could come into the midfield for Hans Vanaken, though, while Arthur Theate should retain his place in the lineup having usurped Nathan Ngoy in the pecking order following the latter’s red card against Iran.

The likes of Dodi Lukebakio, Diego Moreira and Thomas Meunier all made a difference as substitutes in the round of 32, but none of the trio are expected to earn a promotion into the XI.

Belgium predicted lineup vs. USMNT (4-3-3): Courtois; Castagne, Mechele, Theate, De Cuyper; Raskin, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; Lukaku.

---

Pick Your World Cup Starting XIs!

---

What Time Does USMNT vs. Belgium Kick Off?

• Location: Seattle, United States
• Stadium: Lumen Field
• Date: Monday, July 6 / Tuesday, July 7
• Kick-off Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT / 1 a.m. BST (July 7)
• Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (JOR)

---

How to Watch USMNT vs. Belgium on TV, Live Stream

Country	Broadcaster(s)
United States	FOX, Peacock, fuboTV, Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, FOX One
Canada	TSN+, TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5, RDS, CTV, RDS App, CTV App, Crave
Mexico	Canal 5 Televisa, TUDNAzteca 7, TUDN En Vivo, Azteca Deportes En Vivo, ViX Mexico
United Kingdom	BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Website

• MORE: Full list of broadcasters around the world for USMNT vs. Belgium

---