The United States faces Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Monday, July 6, at Lumen Field in Seattle. ET, with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals to face Spain at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Lumen Field Showdown: Match Details and Stakes
The clash in Seattle represents a high-stakes rematch of the 2014 World Cup, where Belgium defeated the U.S. 2-1 at the same tournament stage. As Yahoo Sports reports, the rosters have shifted significantly in 12 years. While the U.S. has no players remaining from that 2014 squad, Belgium retains veterans Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, and Romelu Lukaku.
The path to this match differed wildly for both sides. The U.S. secured its spot with a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Belgium, however, faced a near-collapse against Senegal, trailing 2-0 until the 85th minute before a late surge forced extra time and a 125th-minute penalty win.
For the U.S., a win would mark its first return to the quarterfinals since 2002. For Belgium, the victory would be a bid to return to the final eight for the first time since 2018, when they finished third in Russia.
The Road to the Quarterfinals: U.S. Performance and Roster
The U.S. entered the knockout stage with a strong group-stage record in Group D. According to Fox Sports, the team dominated its early matches:
- USA 4-1 Paraguay (June 12)
- USA 2-0 Australia (June 19)
- USA 3-2 Loss to Türkiye (June 25)
A key storyline for the Belgium match is the availability of Folarin Balogun. After receiving a red card during the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, FIFA lifted the suspension on Sunday, clearing Balogun to play. Balogun has already made an impact in the tournament, netting a first-half goal in the win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Los Angeles Fan Zones and Watch Party Locations
Because the winner of the U.S.-Belgium match will play in Los Angeles on Friday, July 10, the city is hosting extensive viewing events. NBC Los Angeles reports that free watch parties for the match are available at several locations, including:
- Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park (Harbor City)
- Echo Park and Sheldon-Arleta Park
- Galaxy Park at Dignity Health Sports Park (Carson)
- Third Street Promenade (Santa Monica)
- Grand Central Market (Downtown LA)
- Sgt. Steve Owen Park (Lancaster), organized by AV Alta FC of USL League One
Beyond the immediate Round of 16 matches, the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee is operating several “Fan Zones” through the tournament’s end. These zones vary by cost and experience:
| Location | Dates | Admission | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whittier Narrows | July 9-11 | Free | Semifinal and late-stage matches, community marketplace |
| Venice Beach | July 10-11 | Starts at $10 | Knockout matches, beverage gardens, live DJs |
| Fairplex | July 14-15, 18-19 | $10 – $20 | Finals, "science of soccer" exhibitions, mascots |
| West Harbor | July 14-15, 18-19 | $5 | Semifinal and final matches, waterfront experience |
| Downtown Burbank | July 18-19 | Starts at $25 | Final matches, VIP experiences |
These events are designed to be more than just screenings.
“The FIFA Fan Zone community events feature live match broadcasts, fan activations, music, food and more. Each Zone will offer a ‘distinct and locally inspired experience,'”
For more on this story, see USA vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina Live: 2026 World Cup Minute-by-Minute.
Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee, via NBC Los Angeles
Broadcast and Streaming Access
The match is being broadcast in the U.S. on FOX for English speakers and Telemundo for Spanish speakers. According to USA Today, viewers can stream the action via Fubo, which offers a five-day free trial for new customers.
Other streaming options include the FOX One and FOX Sports apps. For those without a cable subscription, Hulu + Live TV provides access to FOX via a three-day trial.
The Quarterfinal Outlook: Spain and the Road to July 19
The stakes extend beyond Monday’s result. The winner of the U.S.-Belgium match will face the winner of the Portugal vs. Spain matchup. If the U.S. advances, they will play at the Los Angeles Stadium on Friday, July 10, at 3 p.m. ET.
Spain enters the bracket as a tournament favorite, bolstered by the emergence of 18-year-old star Lamine Yamal.
This trajectory leads toward the tournament’s conclusion on July 19, 2026, with the final scheduled for 3 p.m. ET at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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