The 2026 FIFA World Cup served up a night of pure drama on Monday as co-hosts USA were knocked out by Belgium 4-1 in the Round of 16, while Spain eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal to set up a blockbuster quarter-final clash. With three co-hosts already eliminated and the tournament heating up, here’s everything you need to know.
🇧🇪 Belgium 4-1 USA: The Balogun Saga Dominates
The biggest talking point wasn’t even on the pitch. In the days leading up to the match, US President Donald Trump personally asked FIFA to review Folarin Balogun’s straight red card — shown in the previous round against Bosnia-Herzegovina — which carried an automatic one-match ban. FIFA responded by suspending the ban for 12 months, making Balogun eligible to play. The decision sparked a firestorm of criticism from UEFA, the Belgian FA, and former football executives.
Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin admitted the “sense of injustice” fueled his side’s performance, and it showed. Romelu Lukaku led the charge as Belgium dismantled a nervous US side in Seattle. Mauricio Pochettino’s team — the last of three co-hosts standing after Mexico lost to England and Canada fell to Morocco — simply never got going.
“Everyone saw from the beginning that we did not connect with the game,” said a visibly frustrated Pochettino after the match. “The principal person responsible is myself.”
The defeat means the US has now fallen at the last-16 stage in four of the past five World Cups — a painful pattern for American soccer fans.
🇪🇸 Spain 2-1 Portugal: Ronaldo’s Farewell
In the night’s other blockbuster, Spain scored a late winner to knock out Portugal, ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup journey for good. The 41-year-old legend had announced this would be his final World Cup, and despite Portugal’s best efforts, they couldn’t find a response to Spain’s late strike.
The result means Belgium will face Spain in the quarter-finals — a clash between the tournament’s most in-form attacking side and a Spanish team that thrives on control and possession.
🌍 Round of 16 Results So Far
- Norway 2-0 Brazil 🇧🇷 — Erling Haaland scored twice to knock Brazil out
- England 3-2 Mexico 🇲🇽 — Survived a thriller, Jude Bellingham starring again
- Canada 1-0 South Africa 🇿🇦 — Jesse Marsch’s side makes history with first knockout win
- Belgium 4-1 USA 🇺🇸 — Co-hosts eliminated amid controversy
- Spain 2-1 Portugal 🇵🇹 — Ronaldo’s final World Cup ends
📅 What’s Coming Up (July 7)
- Argentina vs Egypt — Lionel Messi’s Argentina face Mo Salah’s Egypt in Atlanta
- Switzerland vs Colombia — Two dark horses battle for a quarter-final spot
The winners join an increasingly open field. With Brazil, Portugal, and all three co-hosts out, the path to the World Cup final is wide open.
📆 Upcoming Quarter-Final Schedule
- July 9 — Quarter-Final 1
- July 10 — Quarter-Final 2
- July 11 — Quarter-Final 3
- July 12 — Quarter-Final 4
- July 14-15 — Semi-Finals
- July 18 — Third Place Play-off
- July 19 — 🏆 Final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
❓ FAQ
Why was Balogun’s ban suspended?
FIFA cited a rule allowing one-match bans to be suspended, but provided no further explanation. The move followed President Trump publicly asking FIFA to review the decision. Critics have accused FIFA of bowing to political pressure.
Did the controversy affect USA’s performance?
Pochettino insisted it didn’t, but many fans and analysts believe the intense media scrutiny disrupted their focus. Belgium’s players openly admitted the controversy motivated them.
Who is the favorite to win the World Cup now?
With Brazil and Portugal out, the tournament is wide open. England, Argentina, and Spain are among the top contenders, along with a dangerous Belgium side that just dismantled the co-hosts.
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