Credit: THE SUNHOSTS USA face their biggest test yet as they meet Belgium in Seattle for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
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USA vs Belgium preview
The USA and Belgium go head-to-head in Seattle for a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side seeking long-overdue revenge.
The European side broke American hearts in the last 16 at the 2014 World Cup, when the USA dragged Belgium’s golden generation to extra time before goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku hauled them over the line.
Belgium were favourites that day in Brazil, but that’s not the case today, with the USMNT arriving at Lumen Field backed by the bookies – and it’s not too difficult to see why.
Following some patchy pre-tournament form, the USA bolted out of the gates, booking safe passage to the Round of 32 as group winners with a game to spare.
They then held Bosnia and Herzegovina at arm’s length to keep the party going, despite talisman Folarin Balogun being sent off just after the hour mark.
The absence of tournament top scorer Balogun will hit hard today, but a first knockout win in 24 years, a second clean sheet in three matches and a first victory over European opposition in 11 attempts gives them plenty of reasons to be cheerful.
Their opponents’ form also provides cautious optimism, despite the USA being ranked 17th in the world while Belgium sit ninth.
They haven’t exactly looked like the ninth-best side at these finals, having opened with back-to-back draws against Iran and Egypt before dispatching the tournament’s lowest-ranked side, New Zealand.
Rudi Garcia’s side looked destined to be heading home last week before two goals in the final five minutes and a controversial extra-time penalty spared them against Senegal.
Recent performances may not have inspired much confidence in Brussels, but Belgium can certainly take confidence from their head-to-head record against the United States.
They’ve won each of their last four meetings with the USA, including a 5-2 friendly victory back in March when they unloaded 21 shots, generated an xG of 2.34 and ran riot in Atlanta.
USA vs Belgium odds
- USA 6/4 with Betfair
- Draw 23/10 with Paddy Power
- Belgium 17/10 with Sky Bet
Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Tip: USA to win
I’m backing the hosts to keep the American dream alive by winning inside 90 minutes at 6/4 with Betfair.
The US will be without tournament top scorer Folarin Balogun, but it’s not as though Mauricio Pochettino is short of able deputies. Ricardo Pepi scored 19 goals for PSV last season, while Haji Wright is also waiting in the wings.
The USA now have the monkey off their back after beating Bosnia and Herzegovina to end their long wait for a win over European opposition. Add in home advantage at Lumen Field, one of the loudest stadiums in the country, and this feels like a big ask for an ageing Belgium side who needed more than 120 minutes just to get here.
Belgium still contain several survivors from that 2014 meeting, including Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Romelu Lukaku, but the hosts look the more dynamic and energetic side and have all the important momentum behind them.
Bet: USA to win at 6/4 with Betfair
First goalscorer and correct score prediction
USA vs Belgium
- First goalscorer: Ricardo Pepi at 11/2 with Sky Bet
- Correct score: 2-1 at 8/1 with BOYLE Sports
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