USA vs Belgium: World Cup Round of 16 Preview

USA host Belgium at Lumen Field in Seattle in a World Cup Round of 16 tie that promises attacking football. USA arrive as Group D winners with 6 points and a +4 goal difference, while Belgium topped Group G unbeaten with 5 points and a +4 differential of their own. Recent form looks strong on both sides: USA’s latest sequence reads WLWW, Belgium’s WWDD.

USA have been free-scoring this tournament, hitting 8 goals in 3 group games and 10 in 4 matches overall, averaging 2.5 per game. They have also kept 2 clean sheets. However, key attacker F. Balogun, who has scored 3 goals with a 7.23 average rating, is suspended after a red card, and defenders M. McKenzie and C. Roldan are also ruled out.

Belgium, meanwhile, have yet to lose in 2026, scoring 9 and conceding 4 across 4 fixtures, and showing flexibility with strong home and away numbers. Head-to-head momentum is with Belgium: they won 5-2 in Atlanta in March 2026 and edged USA 2-1 after extra time at this stage in 2014.