United States will be hoping to keep their dream 2026 World Cup alive when they face Belgium on Tuesday at 1am (UK time) for a spot in the quarter-finals.
The co-hosts are in the World Cup last-16 for the second successive tournament, and fourth in as many appearances. But that run is punctured by 2018 when they failed to qualify. That struggle is far behind them, and the United States have already won three games at this World Cup — the most they’ve managed at a single tournament. They finished top of their group to set up a last-32 tie against Bosnia-Herzegovina, winning that matchup 2-0.
Belgium will feel fortuantely to be here, after their struggles at the tournament so far. The Red Devils did finish top of their group but only won one match, sitting ahead of Egypt on goal difference. It set up a difficult tie against Senegal, in which Belgium trailed 2-0 with just over five minutes to go. But Belgium oulled off an unlikely comeback to win in extra-time, albeit aided by Senegal’s collapse.
This will be the eighth meeting between these two sides. After winning at the 1930 World Cup, USA have lost their last six games against Belgium. That includes a defeat at the World Cup in 2014.
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United States vs Belgium team news
United States team news
Despite reaching the last-16, USA’s win over Bosnia-Herzegovina left a sour taste in the fans’ mouths. Folarin Balogun was sent off midway through the second half after a VAR review on a bad tackle. USA fans drew comparisons to a similar tackle made by Lionel Messi earlier in the tournament, which went unpunished. But USA are unable to appeal the decision, so Balogun must sit out.
He’ll likely be replaced at the top of the attack by Ricardo Pepi. They were boosted by the return of Christian Pulisic last time out, and he’ll continue on the left wing with Sergino Dest on the right. Mauricio Pochettino is likely to stick with his favoured midfield trio, joining Weston McKennie with Tyler Adams and Malik Tillman.
The defence is unlikely to change, either. Pochettino clearly has his preferred backline and it has served USA well across the World Cup. Matt Freese will start in goal, with Tim Ream and Chris Richards the centre-backs. With Dest playing further forward, Alex Freeman will continue at right-back, while Antonee Robinson has the left-back spot nailed down.
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Belgium team news
Despite the struggles against Senegal, Rudi Garcia may not want to make any changes to his Belgium side. He has been faithful to his favoured XI, which is near enough the strongest. Nathan Ngoy did not return to the XI against Senegal after his red card, and he may have to make do with another substitute role. Brandon Mechele and Arthur Theate could continue as the centre-back pairing.
Maxim De Cuyper has remained as the left-back since Belgium’s second game, while Timothy Castagne looks to be favoured on th right over Thomas Meunier. It’s a similar story in midfield. Youri Tielemans is the guaranteed starter, and Hans Vanaken looks to have won the battle to be his partner. He’s now started Belgium’s past two games.
Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard are expected to play on the wings, though they may switch flanks to put Doku back on the right. Kevin De Bruyne will start in the No.10, with Charles De Ketelaere leading the line. Romelu Lukaku did come off the bench to start the comeback against Senegal, but his days of starting for Belgium appear to be over.
United States vs Belgium predicted lineups
United States (4-3-3): Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, Robinson; McKennie, Adams, Tillman; Dest, Pepi, Pulisic.
Belgium (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Castagne, Mechele, Theate, De Cuyper; Vanaken, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; De Ketelaere.
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