USA vs Belgium Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Round of 16
by The Stats Zone ·
Updated
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 – BBC / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & the BBC Sport website & app / 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 sent 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 available
Folarin Balogun, who has now scored three in this tournament, was initially ruled out due to his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but the striker is now available for selection after having his ban suspended – a huge boost for the co-hosts.
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, Balogun, Pulisic
Unavailable:
Questionable: McKenzie (Injured), Roldan (Injured)
Belgium team news: Big decisions to make
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: Debast (Injured)
Questionable:
USA’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Sergino Dest ($4.3m) – Defender
Christian Pulisic ($7.0m) – Midfielder
Folarin Balogun ($6.0m) – Forward
Matchday 5 captain pick: Folarin Balogun
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
- The USA and Belgium have met twice at the FIFA World Cup: the USA won 3-0 in the group stage of the inaugural 1930 tournament — one of the joint‑first matches in World Cup history — before Belgium claimed a 2-1 extra‑time victory in their round of 16 tie at the 2014 finals. Since that 1930 defeat, Belgium have recorded six straight wins over the USA, including their most recent meeting: a 5-2 friendly victory in Atlanta in March 2026.
- Malik Tillman’s goal to put the USA 2-0 up against Bosnia and Herzegovina was the 50th netted by the USA in FIFA World Cup history.
- The USA have scored two or more goals in their four matches in the 2026 edition of the tournament, marking the first time they have done so.
- Mauricio Pochettino has led the USA to three victories in the FIFA World Cup – more than any previous US national team head coach.
- This is the first time that the USA have won three fixtures in a single edition of the tournament.
- Belgium are undefeated in 17 fixtures (W11 D6) since a 3-1 loss to Ukraine in the UEFA Nations League in March last year.
- Belgium have lost only two of their last 14 World Cup matches (W9 D3).
- Belgium have won five of their last seven World Cup knockout phase matches (L2).
Click here for EVEN MORE stats & facts about this fixture!
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
