USA vs Belgium Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Round of 16
Co-hosts USA have an excellent opportunity to reach the quarter-finals at a FIFA World Cup for just the second time ever as they now take on Belgium, who produced a remarkable comeback last time out.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TBC / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – TBC / USA – FOX One
USA preview: Impressive Americans
USA come into this one on the back of defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina in quite a hard-fought encounter in the Round of 32 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Folarin Balogun scored but was then second off in the second half before Malik Tillman scored a late free-kick to seal their win.
The Americans failed to score inside the opening 15 minutes of a FIFA World Cup 2026 match for the first time in that game. They had to show a different side to themselves; not just thriving on energy and the intensity of the home crowd but showing some strength and a strong mentality to overcome the Bosnians.
Belgium preview: Fighting back
In a remarkable Round of 32 clash, Belgium produced one of the most memorable comebacks in FIFA World Cup history. At 2-0 down with just a few minutes of the 90 to go, Romelu Lukaku pulled one back before Senegal completely imploded, allowing Youri Tielemans to equalise. Tielemans then put away a controversial penalty in stoppage-time of the second half of extra-time in Seattle.
The Belgians were underwhelming in the group stage with a fortunate 1-1 draw against Egypt before being held to a goalless draw by IR Iran. They did then manage to find some fluency to put away a poor New Zealand side by five goals to one in their final group game to pinch top spot in Group G ahead of Egypt on goal difference.
USA team news: Balogun suspended
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences…
USA will be forced into shuffling their pack in the final third with Monaco striker Folarin Balogun, who has now scored three in this tournament, unavailable due to suspension for his collision with Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarek Muharemovic.
The Americans were without Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan due to injury against both Turkiye and the Bosnians, while defender Mark McKenzie was also left out of the squad due to injury in the Round of 32.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, A. Robinson; McKennie, Adams, Tillman; Dest, Pepi, Pulisic
Unavailable: Balogun (Suspended)
Questionable: McKenzie (Injured), Roldan (Injured)
Belgium team news: Big decisions to make
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences…
Rudi Garcia made some very big and surprising calls early on in the second half of their Round of 32 clash against Senegal, with both Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku replaced early on. It could well be that Garcia now opts to use the pair as impact substitutes instead.
Romelu Lukaku was again impactful off the bench and he may well be used ahead of Charles De Ketelaere up front. Belgium are still sweating on the fitness of Sporting CP defender Zeno Debast, with Brandon Mechele pairing Arthur Theate at centre-back.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Castagne, Mechele, Theate, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Vanaken; Lukebakio, De Ketelaere, Trossard; Lukaku
Unavailable:
Questionable: Debast (Injured)
USA’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Sergino Dest ($4.3m) – Defender
Christian Pulisic ($7.0m) – Midfielder
Malik Tillman ($6.1m) – Midfielder
Matchday 5 captain pick: Sergino Dest
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Christian Pulisic
Free kicks: Malik Tillman
Corners: Christian Pulisic
Belgium’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Leandro Trossard ($6.6m) – Midfielder
Youri Tielemans ($6.1m) – Midfielder
Romelu Lukaku ($7.4m) – Forward
Matchday 5 captain pick: Leandro Trossard
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Youri Tielemans
Free kicks: Kevin De Bruyne
Corners: Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans
Key stats
- Coming soon
USA vs Belgium prediction
USA have been entertaining to watch in this tournament and they still managed to create a fair few chances against the stubbornness and solidity of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous round.
They should actually be provided with some more space against a poor Belgium side in Seattle. ‘Poor’ may seem harsh but they were heading out in ignominious fashion just a few moments before the implosion of the Senegalese.
Belgium may have to deal with some apparent squabbles and in-fighting, as well as trying to find a formula that will work from the start, and they will have to do so up against a boisterous American crowd in Seattle.
Siding with the USA is the way to go but boosting the value by backing both teams scoring would appear a decent bet, too, with USA potentially getting a little nervy late on and Belgium, as they did against Senegal, actually improving in desperation.
USA vs Belgium betting tip: USA to win & both teams to score
