Seattle, WA — July 7, 2026 — The dream is over for the United States. Belgium delivered a ruthless 4-1 defeat to the Americans in the Round of 16 at Lumen Field on Monday, eliminating the last remaining co-host from the FIFA World Cup 2026. With Mexico falling to England on Monday and Canada losing to Morocco on Saturday, all three North American co-hosts have now been knocked out of their own tournament.
Belgium Dominates from the Start
Romelu Lukaku was the star of the night, scoring twice to lead Belgium’s dominant performance. The Red Devils raced to a 3-0 lead by halftime, leaving the home crowd at Lumen Field stunned. Kevin De Bruyne orchestrated the midfield with a goal and two assists, while Leandro Trossard added another to complete the rout. Christian Pulisic pulled one back for the USA in the second half, but Belgium immediately restored their three-goal cushion.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side were hoping to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2002, but they underwhelmed in their biggest men’s match in a generation. The USA created few meaningful chances and the pressure of the occasion appeared to get to them. They have now fallen at the last-16 stage in four of the past five World Cups.
The Balogun Red Card Controversy
The build-up to the fixture was overshadowed by FIFA’s controversial decision regarding Folarin Balogun. The 25-year-old striker had been shown a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in the previous round and was expected to miss the Belgium match due to an automatic one-match ban.
However, on Sunday, FIFA suspended the ban for 12 months — a move that drew widespread criticism. Former US President Donald Trump had publicly urged FIFA to review the ban, calling it a “big stain” on the tournament. In the end, Balogun played the full 90 minutes but failed to make an impact, with his only big chance — a tight-angle effort — smartly saved by Thibaut Courtois in the final 10 minutes.
Today’s Matches & Quarter-Final Outlook
The World Cup action continues on July 7 with two more Round of 16 ties:
- Argentina vs Egypt — Atlanta Stadium. Lionel Messi’s defending champions face a dangerous Egyptian side led by Mohamed Salah. Winner meets Belgium in the quarter-finals.
- Switzerland vs Colombia — Two in-form nations battle for a place in the last eight.
Confirmed Quarter-Final Fixtures
- England vs Morocco — Thursday, July 9
- Belgium vs (Argentina/Egypt) — Friday, July 10
- Switzerland/Colombia vs TBD — Saturday, July 11
FAQ
Who scored for Belgium against the USA?
Romelu Lukaku scored twice, with additional goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Leandro Trossard. Christian Pulisic scored the lone goal for the United States.
Why was Folarin Balogun’s red card ban suspended?
FIFA suspended Balogun’s automatic one-match ban for 12 months following a review. The controversy grew after Donald Trump publicly asked FIFA to reconsider. The decision was met with widespread criticism from pundits and fans who saw it as a political intervention in sporting rules.
What happens next in the World Cup?
The Round of 16 concludes on July 7 with Argentina vs Egypt and Switzerland vs Colombia. The quarter-finals begin on July 9 with England taking on Morocco, followed by Belgium’s quarter-final on July 10.