USA and Belgium set to clash in World Cup round of 16 in Seattle

The United States will meet Belgium on July 6 at Seattle Stadium in the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match follows a strong group-stage performance by the U.S., which has won three of its four tournament games, matching its total victories across its previous four World Cups combined. Belgium enters the tie having won five of their last seven knockout-stage World Cup matches, including a 3-2 win over Japan in 2018.

Historical data shows the United States defeated Belgium 3-0 in the inaugural 1930 tournament but have lost each of their last six meetings, conceding an average of 2.5 goals per game. This will be the U.S. seventh appearance in a World Cup round of 16, with five prior defeats and a single victory, a 2-0 win over Mexico in 2002. Belgium, meanwhile, has scored only one of its nine tournament goals in first halves, with a first-half shot conversion rate of 2.6% compared with 14.0% after halftime.

"Belgium have won five of their last seven knockout round matches at the FIFA World Cup, with their last round of 16 tie seeing them defeat Japan 3-2 during the 2018 tournament," the Opta analyst notes.

"USA have won three of their four matches at this year’s FIFA World Cup, their most ever in a single edition of the finals," the same source adds.

The Opta match centre provides detailed team and player statistics, expected goals data, passing networks and other analytical tools for the game.