USA vs Belgium | FIFA World Cup 2026- Round of 16 | Preview and Predictions

USA will face Belgium in the backdrop of rather testy and controversial circumstances as the USMNT look to make the quarterfinals on home soil in what is fast turning out to be a coming-of-age competition for this iteration of the stars and stripes. For Belgium, they will hope that they have enough in their legs after a gruelling game against Senegal to withstand a comparatively younger side.

Here is our Preview and Predictions for the game.

FIFA WC26 | RO16: USA vs BEL | 05:30 IST, 07 July 2026

USA are once again in the limelight and the centre of attention at this World Cup, but this time not for their football, which has been very very good, but more on that in a bit.

With the news yesterday that the suspension for their leading striker Folarin Balogun having been revoked after he received a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on the alleged insistence of the White House, it has sent a wave of surprise and shock as to how easily can FIFA regulations be surpassed with alleged political interference.

However, that does not take away the fact that the USMNT have been absolutely value for their spot in the tournament. They have been playing some of their best football and currently stand on the precipice of doing something very very special in their country’s footballing history.

A win here against Belgium will take them to the Quarterfinals and will represent a massive massive turn of fortunes after they failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. And now with Balogun back in the fold, they seem to be all prepared to take it in their stride.

For Belgium, safe to say they have been miffed with the decision and have made their displeasure rather clear about the current state of affairs, by saying they will launch an appeal about the same in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

However, this Belgium side are not the same force they used to be and it has shown throughout the tournament, yet the resilience and determination has still brought them this far.

At 2-0 down against Senegal, it all looked over and they seemed dead and buried, but Romelu Lukaku kickstarted their comeback and Youri Tielemans led from the front as they sneaked through with a penalty on literally the last kick of the game. 

They have a lot of flaws, but knockout football has an element of luck about them and it seems like Belgium have that in abundance at the moment.

We believe that the USA will start this game as favourites. Home crowd egging them on, their main striker back, and a Belgium side that is there for the taking. USA should win the match and qualify for the quarters with relative comfort.

Score Prediction: USA 2-0 Belgium.

Venue: Seattle Stadium, Seattle.