USA vs Belgium predictions and betting tips – Co-hosts target last eight

The USA is through to the round of 16 of World Cup 2026 and it is now targeting a place in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2002. Belgium are the co-hosts’ opponents on Tuesday (BST).

This is an incredibly difficult match to call, with the bookies struggling to separate the two teams. Who will triumph in Seattle?

• USA to qualify – 10/11 with Sky Bet
• USA to score first – 19/20 with BetMGM
• Christian Pulisic to score or assist – 11/10 with Tote

USA vs Belgium head to head overview

• Date: Tuesday 7th July.
• Kick-off: 1am.
• Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, USA.
• Where to watch: BBC One and BBC iPlayer. 
• Referee: Adham Makhadmeh.
• VAR: Yes.
• Last meeting: 28th March 2026; USA 2-5 Belgium.
• Last 7 matches: USA – 1 win; Belgium – 6 wins; Draws – 0.
• Favourite to win: Belgium.

USA vs Belgium predicted lineups

• USA expected lineup: Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, Robinson; Tillman, Adams, McKennie; Dest, Balogun, Pulisic.
• Belgium expected lineup: Courtois; Castagne, Theate, Mechele, De Cuyper; Vanaken, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; De Ketelaere.

USA vs Belgium predictions

This has been an excellent summer for US soccer, but now we are into the knockout stage, the dream is potentially just 90 minutes of action away from ending.

It has been a near-perfect campaign for Mauricio Pochettino’s team so far. True, the USA lost their third group game 3-2 to Turkey, but that came after they had already secured top spot, allowing the co-hosts to name a second-string side on matchday three.

A 2-0 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina followed in the round of 32. The USA dominated the first hour of the game and led 1-0, but the sending-off of Folarin Balogun in the 64th minute threatened a nervous conclusion.

As it was, the USA held Bosnia at bay without too much effort, before Malik Tillman doubled their lead with a well-taken free-kick late on.

Yet the USA have grown frustratingly familiar with their World Cup journey ending at the last-16 stage. They have exited the competition in that round in each of their last three appearances. You have to go back to 2002 to find the last time the Stars and Stripes were involved in the quarter-finals.

Belgium are out to stop the USA replicating that achievement this time around. The Red Devils are narrow favourites to triumph here, but their campaign up to now has not been as impressive as that of their upcoming opponents.

Belgium were laboured in back-to-back draws with Egypt and Iran at the start of the group stage. A much-improved performance followed in the 5-1 defeat of New Zealand, but that was against one of the weakest teams in the competition.

Belgium mounted a remarkable comeback against Senegal in the round of 32, coming from two goals down in the 85th minute to force extra time, at the end of which Youri Tielemans made it 3-2 to Rudi Garcia’s side.

Yet Senegal should have been out of sight. There is plenty of room for improvement for Belgium.

USA vs Belgium betting tips

The USA and Belgium are ready to battle it out for a place in the last eight of World Cup 2026.

Who will go through?

Belgium beat the USA 5-2 back in March, but we should not read too much into the result of a non-competitive game.

The USA have definitely played better football since the World Cup began, and home advantage is another factor in their favour in Seattle.

Two of Belgium’s key men, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, are clearly not fully fit, and there are serious question marks over the defensive unit.

Whether it is after 90 minutes, extra time or on penalties, we fancy the USA to progress to the last eight.

Back the USA to qualify at 10/11 with Sky Bet

USA to draw first blood

The USA have consistently started matches quickly at this tournament.

With an emphasis on pressing high up the pitch and moving the ball forward quickly, the USA hit the ground running against Paraguay, Australia, Turkey and Bosnia & Herzegovina, scoring the first goal on each occasion.

Belgium, for their part, has often been slow out of the blocks. Rudi Garcia’s charges have opened the scoring in only one of their four outings.

The USA is well positioned to go 1-0 up in this crunch clash at Lumen Field.

Tip the USA to score first at 19/20 with BetMGM

Pulisic must step up

Folarin Balogun has controversially been cleared to play for the USA against Belgium.

Originally banned after receiving a red card against Bosnia & Herzegovina, Balogun has been given a reprieve after FIFA suspended his suspension. The decision will not have impressed Belgium at all.

Even though the USA’s main attacking threat is available to start, we still fancy Christian Pulisic to have a direct hand in a goal.

Pulisic is getting fitter by the day after a time on the treatment table with a calf injury, and the stage is set for him to have a decisive impact on this match.

Go for Christian Pulisic to score or assist at 11/10 with Tote

USA vs Belgium latest odds

Find the latest USA vs Belgium betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

More World Cup 2026 predictions

We have plenty more World Cup 2026 predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

Important historical facts about USA and Belgium for betting

Belgium have won six matches in a row against the USA. Belgium have not lost any of their last 17 matches. The USA have won only one of their last 14 games against European opposition.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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