Get our USA vs Belgium prediction, lineups, and betting odds. Discover the best tips and bet builder picks for this World Cup 2026 clash.
USA vs Belgium Match Summary
Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026 |
|---|---|
Match Date | Tuesday 7 July 2026 |
Match Time | 01:00 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Seattle Stadium |
Broadcast (TV / Streaming / Radio / Bookmaker Streaming) | RTE 2, BBC 1, BBCi |
The co-hosts meet Belgium in the last 16 at Seattle Stadium, a heavyweight knockout tie with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs and both sides arriving on the back of nervy wins.
The USA reached the last 16 by grinding out a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, their third win in four World Cup games this summer, despite Folarin Balogun's red card leaving them a man light.
Belgium had it far tougher, roaring back from two goals down to beat Senegal 3-2 in extra time, a comeback that keeps them unbeaten at the tournament with two wins and two draws.
History sits firmly with Belgium, who have won four of the five previous meetings, including the last one. Their most recent get-together ended in a 5-2 win for the Belgians.
USA vs Belgium Form
The USA are firing at the right end, netting 2+ goals in all four of their World Cup outings, including a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina and a 4-1 hammering of Paraguay. Mauricio Pochettino became the winningest U.S. manager in World Cup history with that latest victory, and Malik Tillman keeps chipping in with big moments.
Belgium are unbeaten in the tournament but far from fluent, drawing blanks against IR Iran before that dramatic 3-2 win over Senegal, where captain Youri Tielemans levelled late and buried a spot-kick in the 125th minute. Rudi Garcia's side rack up shots for fun, with 15+ in all four of their World Cup games, and Kevin De Bruyne remains the creative engine room.
USA vs Belgium Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
USA: F. Balogun (Suspended), M. McKenzie (Injured/doubtful), C. Roldan (Injured/doubtful)
Belgium: Z. Debast (Injured/doubtful)
USA
The USA are without star forward Folarin Balogun, suspended after his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Expect Ricardo Pepi to come in as a like-for-like replacement up top, with Pochettino otherwise naming an unchanged starting XI. McKenzie and Roldan are both doubts.
Belgium
Romelu Lukaku made an impact off the bench against Senegal and could be rewarded with a start on Tuesday, a switch that would send Charles De Ketelaere to the bench. Belgium will make a late call on Sporting defender Zeno Debast, who is unfit.
USA vs Belgium Predicted Lineup
USA
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: Freese; Robinson, Richards, Ream, Freeman; Tillman, Adams; Pulisic, McKennie, Dest; Pepi
Belgium
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: Courtois; De Cuyper, Theate, Mechele, Castagne; Vanaken, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; Lukaku
USA vs Belgium Key Stats & Match Facts
USA have scored 2+ goals in all four of their World Cup matches at this tournament.
Belgium have racked up 15+ shots in all four of their World Cup matches at this tournament.
USA have seen over 2.5 goals and scored at least twice in each of their last three home matches against Belgium in all competitions.
The USA's only historical win over Belgium came at the inaugural World Cup on 13 July 1930, a 3-0 victory.
Belgium beat the USA 2-1 after extra time when the pair last met in a World Cup knockout tie, on 1 July 2014.
USA vs Belgium Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: This one has goals written all over it. The USA are scoring for fun and have owned recent home meetings with Belgium, so we fancy the co-hosts to edge a tight, open contest. USA 2-1 Belgium.
Best Bets
USA to win at 9/5 with AK Bets. Pochettino's side have landed this bet in seven of their last 10, and home advantage at Seattle Stadium counts for plenty in a knockout tie they will be desperate to win on home soil.
Both Teams To Score - Yes at 3/5 with BetGoodWin. Every one of the USA's last three home meetings with Belgium has produced goals at both ends, and Belgium carry real threat through Lukaku and De Bruyne.
USA vs Belgium Bet Builder
Our four-leg bet builder leans into the attacking nature of this tie: Kevin De Bruyne over 1.5 shots, De Bruyne over 0.5 shots on target, over 1.5 total home goals, and over 7.5 total away corners.
De Bruyne over 1.5 shots is the anchor. He has attempted 2+ shots in all four of his World Cup appearances at this tournament, so getting a couple of efforts away should be routine for the Belgian playmaker.
De Bruyne over 0.5 shots on target follows naturally. He has attempted 4+ shots in three of his four World Cup outings, testing the keeper often enough to trust him to hit the target at least once here.
Over 1.5 total home goals is well backed by form. The USA have netted at least twice in every one of their World Cup matches this summer, and they carry that firepower into a home tie at Seattle Stadium.
Over 7.5 total away corners completes it. Belgium keep pushing forward and have racked up 15+ shots across all four of their World Cup fixtures, which should drive plenty of corners.
At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 13/1 and is as short as 12.43/1 elsewhere. That's a difference in potential winnings of £6 from best to worst price.
Make sure to get the best odds on your Bet Builder with Oddschecker's Exclusive Bet Builder Comparison Tool.
Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
USA vs Belgium Talking Points
Both sides had to dig deep to get here. Malik Tillman's 82nd-minute free kick settled the USA's win over Bosnia and Herzegovina while they were down to ten men, proof this group does not fold. Belgium's fight is not in doubt either, with their 3-2 win over Senegal their first World Cup comeback from two goals down since beating Japan 3-2 in 2018. The big call is up top for Belgium, where Lukaku's cameo against Senegal could earn him a start ahead of De Ketelaere, while the USA must cope without the suspended Balogun and lean on Pepi to lead the line.
USA vs Belgium Predictions FAQs
When is the USA vs Belgium World Cup 2026 game?
The match is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 7 July 2026, kicking off at 01:00 UK time.
Where can I find the best USA vs Belgium prediction?
You can find our detailed match prediction, lineups, and key betting tips right here in this preview.
What are the latest betting odds for USA vs Belgium?
The latest match odds, bet builder options, and expert tips are fully detailed in our dedicated betting section.
Where can I find USA vs Belgium lineups?
Predicted and confirmed starting lineups for both teams are updated in the team news section of this preview.
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