USA vs. Belgium projected lineups, starting 11 for USMNT World Cup 2026 Round of 16 game in Seattle

The United States will hope to match their best-ever finish at a modern FIFA World Cup as they take on Belgium in the 2026 Round of 16 in Seattle on Monday.

A Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina last week saw the U.S. secure just its second-ever knockout stage victory at this event, following a 2002 win over Mexico. That, coincidentally, was also the last time the USMNT reached the quarterfinals of a World Cup.

Mauricio Pochettino's side will be gunning to equal that effort against Belgium, the side that dramatically eliminated them 12 years ago in Brazil. Tim Howard stood on his head that day, setting a World Cup record with 16 saves throughout the match, but Chris Wondolowski's infamous miss left the game to extra time, where Belgium secured a 2-1 win.

Here is how the teams are expected to line up, with a potential quarterfinal match against Spain on the line.

2026 WORLD CUP HQ: Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets

USA projected starting 11

(4-2-3-1, right to left): 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. Balogun

• Injured: McKenzie (foot), Roldan (calf)
• Suspended: None
• On a yellow card: None

Pochettino will have undoubtedly been planning for the last few days how to cope without Folarin Balogun, who was suspended one game for his highly controversial red card in the Round of 32 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Yet in the end, FIFA sensationally suspended Balogun's ban, leaving him available to play in this match.

The most likely replacement would have been Ricardo Pepi, who would be the most natural fit up top. Now, Pochettino is likely to name an unchanged side for this match.

That leaves the potential absentee list to just two, with injured backups Cristian Roldan and Mark McKenzie both having missed the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

MORE: Why Folarin Balogun was sent off vs. Bosnia | Why Balogun's suspension was lifted by FIFA

Belgium projected starting 11

(4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. T. Courtois (GK) — 21. T. Castagne, 4. B. Mechele, 3. A. Theate, 5. M. De Cuyper — 8. Y. Tielemans, 20. H. Vanaken — 10. L. Trossard, 7. K. De Bruyne, 11. J. Doku — 17. C. De Ketelaere.

• Injured: None
• Suspended: None
• On a yellow card: Mechele

Belgium boss Rudi Garcia has been faithful to starting striker Charles De Ketelaere, even as the false nine-ish player has struggled to influence matches. This is largely because Romelu Lukaku, who scored in the 2014 meeting between these two nations, is no longer capable of playing more than one half of football at 33 years old.

Belgium's other goal scorer in that 2014 World Cup match, Kevin De Bruyne, has also been reduced to a shell of his former self but remains the passing wizard at the heart of this team's attack, even if his athleticism has almost completely evaporated at 35 years of age.

At the back, the central defensive partnership of Brandon Mechele and Arthur Theate is not quite at the same recognizable level as some of the Belgium teams over the past two decades.

USA vs. Belgium predictions, betting odds

Belgium has a slight talent advantage in this match, but it is largely minimized by the horrible lineup construction that Garcia must work around. Namely, there is no viable striker option. Lukaku has no more than 45 minutes maximum left in his legs, forcing Garcia to start De Ketelaere up front, who is a talented player but does not fit this Belgium side whatsoever.

Because of this, Jeremy Doku often has nobody to combine with, meaning Leandro Trossard — meant to be an off-ball winger — has done a lot of on-ball creating, so much so that he is the co-leader at the World Cup in chances created. That is not a good sign for Belgium.

In midfield, Garcia has decided to bench Amadou Onana, who provides the perfect foil to Youri Tielemans but for whatever reason doesn't start. And at the back, Belgium lacks any kind of cohesion in front of Thibaut Courtois.

The United States, meanwhile, is built completely the opposite. While it does not ooze talent across the pitch, it has been constructed and pieced together quite well into a system that has largely worked. The question here is whether its counter-press will be as effective against a talented opponent as it has been against less-illustrious opposition.

Pochettino has this U.S. team humming, and while this will be an extremely difficult task, the USMNT is the better-coached side, and that should make a huge difference, especially now that shot merchant Balogun will be available.

• Score prediction: USA 2-1 Belgium

USA and Belgium World Cup rosters

Here are the names on USA and Belgium's World Cup rosters. All caps and stats are correct as of the date of their announcement in May 2026.

MORE: A complete breakdown of USA's 2026 World Cup squad

Head coach: Mauricio Pochettino

Belgium World Cup squad

MORE: A complete breakdown of Belgium's 2026 World Cup squad

Head coach: Rudi Garcia

Where to watch USA vs. Belgium

In USA:

• TV channel: FOX
• Live stream: fubo, Fox One, Fox Sports app/website

This match will be broadcast nationally on Fox in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.

The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up for a FREE trial.

Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

Here is how to watch the match in some of the other major territories: