USA vs. Belgium live score, result, highlights as Freese gifts Red Devils a third with calamitous mistake

USA vs. Belgium live score, result, highlights as Freese gifts Red Devils a third with calamitous mistake originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The United States will meet Belgium for a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup.

Both sides overcame adversity to punch their ticket into the Round of 16, with the USMNT dispatching of Bosnia and Herzegovina despite a red card to leading goal-scorer Folarin Balogun. The Red Devils, meanwhile, battled back from a two-goal deficit to snatch a 3-2 win over Senegal at the death.

They also have overlapping histories. In 2014, an aging U.S. side and fresh-faced Belgian bunch faced off in the same round. Tim Howard stopped a World Cup-record 16 shots in the match, which dipped into extra time before Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku pushed the Red Devils out in front for good.

The lead-up to Monday's match has been mired in the controversy surrounding Balogun's availability after FIFA reversed its one-game ban in a highly unusual move over the weekend. Balogun will be allowed to play despite protest from Belgium and many of soccer's global sanctioning bodies.

Can the U.S. claim some much-desired revenge on its adversary 12 years on and secure a berth in the quarterfinals for the second-time in its history? Only time will tell.

The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for USA vs. Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Follow below for the complete results from the Round of 16 match in Seattle.

STREAM:Watch the 2026 World Cup live with fubo (U.S. only free trial)

USA vs. Belgium score

Location: Seattle Referee: Adham Makhadmeh

Starting lineups:

USA (4-2-3-1): 24. M. Freese (GK), 16. A. Freeman, 3. C. Richards, 13. T. Ream, 5. A. Robinson, 17. M. Tillman, 4. T. Adams, 2. S. Dest, 8. W. McKennie, 10. C. Pulisic, 20. F. Balogun

Belgium (4-3-3): 1. T. Courtois (GK), 21. T. Castagne, 25. N. Ngoy. 4. B. Mechele, 5. M. De Cuyper, 23. N. Raskin, 24. A. Onana, 8. Y. Tielemans, 14. D. Lukebakio, 17. C. De Ketelaere, 10. L. Trossard

2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Updated World Cup standings

USA vs. Belgium live updates, highlights from 2026 World Cup knockouts

(All times ET)

80': Berhalter, Balogun draw close as USMNT attempts final rally

9:45 p.m.: The USMNT are looking frantically for a goal to get back into this one. Both Berhalter and Balogun nearly were rewarded for their desperation, with the former seeing his fiery attempt just spurn its target and the latter having his effort in transition saved by Courtois.

Thibaut Courtois comes up with the save on Flo Balogun's shot pic.twitter.com/QgJshoV9d0

, FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 7, 2026

Sebastian Berhalter with a huge chance to pull one back for the US and it's just wide! pic.twitter.com/PUKozCUNNN

, FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 7, 2026

59': Pulisic gives way for Sebastian Berhalter after apparent injury

9:22 p.m.: Pulisic leaves for Berhalter, having been felled by an apparent injury moments before Vanaken's strike. The USMNT will be without its talisman for the last 30 minutes (plus stoppage time).

🚨🇺🇸 Christian Pulisic after being substituted off for USA. 💔 (@SportyTV) pic.twitter.com/foSh6l3UGn

, EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) July 7, 2026

58': Freese error leads to Belgium's third

9:21 p.m.: GOALLLLLL! Freese will not want to watch that back. While attempting to clear the ball, Freese kicked his foot into the ground, allowing De Ketelaere to pounce and deflect the ball away. The bouncing orb found Vanaken, who kept his strike from distance low to double the Red Devils' advantage.

Belgium finds a third pic.twitter.com/0m1Hu4qzwR

, FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 7, 2026

Belgium 3, United States 1

9:19 p.m.: Not much going on for either side to start the second. Looks like Belgium is content with letting the U.S. have possession. Neither team has fashioned out much of a chance thus far.

9:09 p.m.: The teams are back out on the pitch for the second half. Looks like Gio Reyna will come in for Dest at the half. We'll see if he can make a positive intervention in this one.

45+6': Pulisic's corner falls into Courtois' hands as first half comes to close

8:53 p.m.: Little to write home about regarding Christian Pulisic's first half. Few things sum up his early display quite like his end of half corner kick, which finds Courtois without a contest. Belgiums enters the break on top and looking the likelier of the two sides to score. We'll have to see what changes Pochettino has up his sleeves, because things could get hairy here for the USMNT if its unable to elevate its play.

32': De Ketelaere's second re-establishes lead for Red Devils

8:31 p.m: GOALLLLLL! Now, it's De Ketelaere's turn again! He leaps high over Tim Ream to smash in his second following good work from Trossard.

Belgium retakes the lead pic.twitter.com/KveurH34e6

, FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 7, 2026

Belgium 2, United States 1

31': USMNT gets on board behind Tillman's deflected free kick

8:30 p.m.: GOALLLLL! It's Malik Tillman again! The Bayer Leverkusen starlet whips a free kick past Courtois to level the socre at one goal apiece. The strike was deflected by Vanaken, leaving Courtois flat-footed. The USMNT has done little to nothing on its side of the pitch. And yet, both sides are square at one.

MALIK TILLMAN. pic.twitter.com/d69o7zgb0r

, FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 7, 2026

Belgium 1, United States 1

20': Onana departs due to injury as Belgium suffers huge midfield blow

8:20 p.m.: Amadou Onana was arguably Belgium's most important player in the midfield. He exits due to injury, leaving the Belgians with a void in the center of the park. His range, athleticism and progressiveness are major tools for Rudi Garcia's side. He gives way for Club Brugge midfielder Hans Vanaken.

10': De Ketalaere taps in as Belgium takes advantage of USMNT torpidity

8:10 p.m.: GOALLLLLLL! It's De Ketalaere who fires home from short range, connecting with De Cuyper's deflected cross. It's been a decent start thus far for the Belgians, who have looked the strong side in the midfield thus far.

Charles De Ketelaere finds the scoresheet to put Belgium in front pic.twitter.com/FZ7KeOsdF2

, FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 7, 2026

Belgium 1, USA 0

1': Freese denies Castagne with smart stop

8:02 p.m.: Castagne opens the match with a splendid strike, curling and unruly. Freese is equal to the test, flicking it away from danger with an acrobatic stop.

A MASSIVE MITT EARLY ON FROM FREESE! pic.twitter.com/xZQfHgAkvh

, U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 7, 2026

Pregame

8:00 p.m.: The national anthems have been uttered. The players on the field! Time for footy!

7:35 p.m.: More sights and scenes ahead of tonight's contest. Plenty of support for the Americans in this one. You'd expect nothing less from the Seattle bunch.

🇺🇸 @USMNT fans are marching their way through Seattle pic.twitter.com/4sHIN6DRLp

, FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 6, 2026

7:25 p.m.: It's quite the atmosphere here in Seattle for this one. Looks like there will be a lively pro-US contingent for this one.

Absolute scenes in Seattle 🫶 pic.twitter.com/XEZPX8uVTJ

, U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 6, 2026

7:15 p.m.: Nary a mention of Balogun's red card controversy on Fox's pregame broadcast. Wonder why...

6:45 p.m.: Lineups are out for tonight's contest. The U.S. team is unchanged from the side that took the field against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Balogun retaining his place up top despite his red card. The Belgians, meanwhile, made a host of changes to the starting XI they flaunted against Senegal. Jeremy Doku and Jeremy Doku take to the bench while Charles de Ketelaere, a midfielder, will attempt to make an impact up front.

All About U.S. 🇺🇸#USMNT x The @HomeDepotpic.twitter.com/ud32G5aKrq

, U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 6, 2026

Our formation is set. 📋 #SelectedByPwC#USABELpic.twitter.com/bHKLsaLQw9

, Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) July 6, 2026

6:00 p.m.: Apt words here ahead of tonight's contest, word to Sideshow.

Corruption is not bad, corruption is only bad if I'm not involved, but if I'm part of that corruption, I'll / I will defend it pic.twitter.com/LKuQgYohr9

, reaction memes ➡️ @VideoReacts (@VideoReacts) July 5, 2026

5:30 p.m.: Plenty of banter coming from USMNT supporters in the hours leading up to the game. Not sure if the masses of soccer enthusiasts around the world would agree with the sentiment, however.

🍻 Bar next to the stadium ahead of USMNT - Belgium with a fun promotion after Flo Balogun’s red card ban was suspended pic.twitter.com/nmGGBEFKPD

, Tom Bogert (@tombogert) July 6, 2026

5 p.m.: Folarin Balogun is the man of the hour ahead of tonight's contest, albeit for reasons out of his control. Belgium's appeal, largely viewed as a ceremonial gesture, was rejected, meaning that the USMNT striker is available for selection in tonight's game. Barring something unforeseen, Mauricio Pochettino is expected to name him in his starting XI.

Where to watch USA vs. Belgium in World Cup

USA vs. Belgium start time

Date: Monday, July 6

Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

USA vs. Belgium kicks off at 8 p.m. ET from Lumen Field in Seattle.

What channel is USA vs. Belgium on today?

TV channel: Fox

Live stream:Fubo (U.S. only free trial)

Monday's match between the United States and Belgium will air nationally on Fox (for English-speaking viewers) and Telemundo (for Spanish-speaking viewers) in the United States. Those looking to stream the match can turn toward fubo, which offers a free trial to new users.

Here's a look at how the 8 p.m. ET start time compares to differing time zones:

TimeTV ChannelStreaming

USA20:00 ETFox, Telemundofubo, Peacock

Canada20:00 ETTSN 1, RDS (French)TSN site/app, RDS app

UK01:00 BSTBBC OneBBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Australia10:00 AESTSBSSBS On Demand

India05:30 ISTSports 18Voot, JioTV

MORE USMNT NEWS:

Is Folarin Balogun playing vs. Belgium?

FIFA made right call the wrong way in Balogun ban

How good is Belgium in soccer compared to USA?

Yellow card vs. red card differences

USA vs. Belgium history in the World Cup

World Cup 2026 knockouts schedule

Round of 16

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation

Sat, Jul. 41 p.m.Morocco 3, Canada 0NRG Stadium (Houston, TX)

Sat, Jul. 45 p.m.France 1, Paraguay 0Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)

Sun, Jul. 54 p.m.Norway 2, Brazil 1MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)

Sun, Jul. 58 p.m.England 3, Mexico 2Estadio Azteca (Mexico City, MEX)

Mon, Jul. 63 p.m.Portugal vs. SpainAT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)

Mon, Jul. 68 p.m.USA vs. BelgiumLumen Field (Seattle, WA)

Tue, Jul. 712 p.m.Argentina vs. EgyptMercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)

Tue, Jul. 74 p.m.Switzerland vs. ColombiaBC Place (Vancouver, CAN)

Quarterfinals

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation

Thu, Jul. 94 p.m.QF1: France vs. MoroccoGillette Stadium (Foxboro, MA)

Fri, Jul. 103 p.m.QF2: Winner, R16 M5 vs. Winner, R16 M6SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)

Sat, Jul. 115 p.m.QF3: Norway vs. EnglandHard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)

Sat, Jul. 119 p.m.QF4: Winner, R16 M7 vs. Winner, R16 M8Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)

Semifinals

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation

Tue, Jul. 143 p.m.SF1: Winner, QF1 vs. Winner, QF2AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)

Wed, Jul. 153 p.m.SF2: Winner, QF3 vs. Winner, QF4Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)

Third-place match

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation

Sat, Jul. 185 p.m.Loser, SF1 vs. Loser, SF2Hard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)

Final

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation

Sun, Jul. 193 p.m.Winner, SF1 vs. Winner, SF2MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)