The United States lost 4-1 to rising Belgium on Monday in a controversial game before kickoff, knocking them out of the World Cup’s last 16.
Belgium took the lead in the 9th minute with a goal from Charles de Ketelaer, but both hosts equalized after 30 minutes with a goal from Malik Tillman.
However, the stalemate lasted only two minutes before De Quetelaele scored again and Belgium regained the lead.
The European team then sealed the victory with Hans Vanaken’s third goal just before an hour left, and Romelu Lukaku’s late goal in stoppage time.
The game was initially overshadowed by FIFA’s decision to suspend US striker Folarin Balogun’s one-match red card suspension, paving the way for the team’s top scorer to play.
The ruling has gained further attention after President Donald Trump defended his request for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review Balogun’s red card, raising questions about whether political pressure influenced the decision.
Balogun was originally sent off in the Round of 32 of the USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, but FIFA reversed the decision. Belgium appealed the decision, but FIFA dismissed the protest as unacceptable, while UEFA criticized the decision as “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjust”.
Separately, Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of winning the World Cup ended as Portugal lost 1-0 to Spain as Mikel Merino’s late goal put the country through to the quarter-finals.
USA vs Belgium
Belgium’s Charles de Ketelaer celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 0-1 during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match.
Robbie Jay Barratt – Ama | Getty Images Sports | Getty Images
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino kicks the ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between the United States and Belgium at Lumen Field (Seattle Stadium) in Seattle, Washington, U.S. on July 6.
Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images
U.S. forward Folarin Balogun warms up before the first round World Cup finals game between the United States and Belgium at Lumen Field on Monday, July 6, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
Robert Gauthier | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images
Belgium players Timothy Castagne #21 and Brandon Mechere #4 emerge from the tunnel before the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match.
Maya Hitiji – FIFA | FIFA | Getty Images
American fans hold up signs in the stands before the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium.
Carl Lecine | Getty Images Sports | Getty Images
Referee Rafael Klaus gives No. 20 Folarin Balogun of the United States a red card for a foul on No. 4 Tarik Mujaremović of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, California on July 1, 2026.
Charlotte Wilson | Getty Images Sports | Getty Images
Portugal vs Spain
Spain No. 6 Mikel Merino celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on July 6, 2026.
Alex Slitz | Getty Images Sports | Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after the goal scored by Spain’s Mikel Merino during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain at Dallas Stadium.
Europa Press Sports | Europa Press | Getty Images
