Belgium Powers Past USA in Round of 16 Thriller
The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage delivered as expected when Belgium defeated the United States Men’s National Team 4-1 in Seattle on July 6. Charles De Ketelaere was the star of the night, scoring twice — once in the 9th minute and again with a brilliant header just minutes after Malik Tillman had leveled the score for the Americans.
Belgium’s midfield dominance was on full display as Hans Vanaken added a third in the 56th minute after USMNT goalkeeper Matt Freese strayed too far off his line. Christian Pulisic was substituted out due to injury, further hampering the American attack. Despite the return of Folarin Balogun — whose red card suspension was controversially lifted — the USMNT struggled to create meaningful chances against Thibaut Courtois and the Belgian defense.
The result means the United States exits in the round of 16 for the second consecutive World Cup, extending a painful pattern that has seen them eliminated at this stage in six of their last seven appearances.
Quarterfinal Matchups Taking Shape
With the round of 16 now complete, the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals are set to deliver an unforgettable week of football. The confirmed quarterfinalists include Belgium, Spain, France, Morocco, Norway, and England, with the final two spots determined on July 7.
The quarterfinal schedule is as follows:
July 9 — Boston Stadium: France vs Morocco. Les Bleus advanced after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paraguay, while Morocco dismantled Canada 3-0. This promises to be a tactical battle between two of the tournament’s most disciplined sides.
July 10 — Los Angeles Stadium: Spain vs Belgium. Spain edged Portugal 1-0 thanks to a stoppage-time winner from super-sub Mikel Merino, ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of World Cup glory. Belgium’s attacking firepower against Spain’s possession game makes this the tie of the round.
July 10/11 — Miami & Kansas City: England, who survived a 3-2 thriller against Mexico despite going down to 10 men — Jude Bellingham scoring twice — face their quarterfinal opponent. Norway produced the shock of the round by defeating Brazil 2-1.
Betting Insights for the Quarterfinals
For bettors at MK Sports, the quarterfinals present excellent opportunities. Belgium’s attacking form — 4 goals against the USMNT — makes them dangerous against a Spain side that has relied on late drama. France vs Morocco could be a tight affair; Morocco’s defense has been superb, but France’s tournament experience gives them the edge.
England’s resilience after the Mexico scare cannot be understated. Playing with 10 men and still winning shows the squad depth that could carry them deep into the tournament. Norway’s victory over Brazil suggests they should not be underestimated in the quarters.
Key betting angles for MK Sports users:
Belgium vs Spain — Over 2.5 Goals: Both teams have shown attacking quality, and Spain’s high defensive line could be exploited by De Ketelaere and Vanaken.
France vs Morocco — Both Teams to Score (No): Morocco has been solid at the back, but France’s attack has been clinical. A low-scoring affair seems likely.
England to Win: Southgate’s squad has tournament pedigree and the mental toughness shown against Mexico bodes well for the knockout stages.
What’s at Stake
The 2026 World Cup has already delivered drama, upsets, and spectacular football across 48 teams competing in 16 host cities across North America. The quarterfinals will reduce the field to four, with the semifinals and final — scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey — still wide open.
For Belgium, this represents perhaps the last chance for their golden generation — with Courtois, De Bruyne, and Lukaku all in their 30s. For England, it’s an opportunity to go one better than their Euro 2024 final appearance. And for surprise packages like Morocco and Norway, the dream of lifting the trophy feels more real than ever.
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