USMNT Faces Tough Test Against Belgium in FIFA World Cup Round of 16

The United States Men’s National Team will look to keep its FIFA World Cup 2026 run alive when it takes on Belgium in the Round of 16 on Monday at Seattle Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, with the match airing on FOX, Peacock, and Telemundo.

The United States enters the knockout match with plenty of momentum after defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the Round of 32. It marked just the second knockout-stage victory in USMNT World Cup history and improved the Americans to three wins in four tournament matches. Through four games, the U.S. has scored 10 goals while finding the back of the net at least twice in every match.

Forward Folarin Balogun has emerged as one of the tournament’s top performers, scoring three goals in as many World Cup appearances. His scoring total ties him with Brian McBride for fourth-most World Cup goals in U.S. history, while becoming just the third American to score at least three goals in a single World Cup tournament.

Midfielder Malik Tillman also continues to make an impact after earning Man of the Match honors against Bosnia and Herzegovina. With the United States reduced to 10 men following Balogun’s red card, Tillman sealed the victory with a spectacular free kick for his first World Cup goal.

Goalkeeper Matt Freese has been equally important during the tournament. His victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina gave him three World Cup wins, the most by any goalkeeper in U.S. men’s national team history, while his second clean sheet tied him for the program record.

Belgium presents one of the tournament’s toughest challenges. The Red Devils have not lost a match since March 2025 and entered the knockout stage after finishing atop Group G before rallying from a two-goal deficit to defeat Senegal 3-2 in extra time in the Round of 32.

Historically, Belgium has had the upper hand in the series. Monday’s meeting will be the eighth all-time between the nations, with Belgium holding a 6-1 advantage. The teams most recently met in March when Belgium earned a 5-2 victory in Atlanta. Their last World Cup matchup came in the Round of 16 at the 2014 tournament, when Belgium defeated the United States 2-1 in extra time despite a memorable 15-save performance by goalkeeper Tim Howard.

The United States will also look to extend its impressive record at Seattle Stadium, where it has won all seven matches played at the venue, including a 2-0 group-stage victory over Australia earlier in the tournament.

With a place in the World Cup quarterfinals on the line, the Americans will attempt to end a six-match losing streak against Belgium and continue what has already been one of the program’s strongest World Cup performances in recent history.