The winner advances to the quarterfinals on July 10 in Los Angeles, while the loser’s tournament is over.<\/p>\n
The 2026 World Cup, expanded to 48 nations, runs from June 11 until July 19. Games are held in 16 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico.<\/p>\n
FIFA World Ranking: 17
\nConfederation: Concacaf (North, Central America & Caribbean)
\nRound of 32: 2-0 win vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina<\/p>\n
The USMNT are one win away from equaling their best-ever World Cup finish in the modern era; the 2002 squad memorably made the quarterfinals before falling to Germany.<\/p>\n
For the USMNT to accomplish that feat, they’ll need to exact some World Cup revenge on Belgium. They fell 2-1 (extra time) to the Red Devils at Brazil 2014 in the Round of 16, despite a historic 16-save performance from Tim Howard.<\/p>\n
New York City FC<\/a> goalkeeper Matt Freese<\/a> draws inspiration from that performance and will be counted on alongside Charlotte FC<\/a> center back Tim Ream<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Yanks will also need to find solutions without striker Folarin Balogun, who was controversially red-carded in the Round of 32’s 2-0 win<\/a> vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun is the team’s top scorer with three goals this tournament.<\/p>\n FIFA World Ranking: 9 Belgium were minutes away from elimination in the Round of 32 vs. Senegal, but completed a historic 3-2 comeback<\/a> to advance.<\/p>\n Romelu Lukaku pulled one back in the 86th minute, Youri Tielemans equalized in the 89th minute, and then Tielemans scored a 125th-minute penalty-kick winner that followed a Video Review decision.<\/p>\n
\nConfederation: UEFA (Europe)
\nRound of 32: 3-2 win vs. Senegal (extra time)<\/p>\n