Photo: Blake Dahlin ~ Imagn Images
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July 7, 2026 ~ Anthony Bellino, co-host of SportsWrap, joins Kevin Dietz to react to the United States’ loss to Belgium in World Cup play. The conversation covers what went wrong and what the result means moving forward.
SEATTLE ~ The United States’ 2026 FIFA World Cup run came to an end Monday night with a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16 in Seattle. Belgium seized control early behind Charles De Ketelaere, who scored twice in the first half to help the Red Devils build a 2-1 halftime lead. The Americans entered the match hoping to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002, but they spent much of the night trying to overcome an early deficit.
Despite falling behind, the United States found a response through Malik Tillman, whose free kick goal provided the Americans’ lone score of the match. The strike kept the U.S. within one goal at halftime and briefly energized the home crowd, but Belgium’s attack continued to create dangerous chances and maintain the upper hand. De Ketelaere finished the night with two goals and an assist.
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(CONTINUED) The Americans pushed forward in the second half in search of an equalizer, but Belgium continued to create scoring chances and maintain control of the match. The Red Devils added two more goals after halftime, including a late finish from Romelu Lukaku, to put the match out of reach and secure a place in the quarterfinals. Belgium’s clinical finishing proved to be the difference as the U.S. defense struggled to recover from its early mistakes.
For the United States, the defeat marked another Round of 16 exit and the end of a promising tournament on home soil. Players such as Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun and Tillman helped guide the Americans through the tournament, but Belgium’s experience and efficiency were too much to overcome. The loss sends the U.S. into the next World Cup cycle still searching for its first quarterfinal appearance since 2002.
