USA vs Belgium Round of 16 — Balogun Banned, Belgium Buzzing

Updated July 2026

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One of the first confirmed R16 ties pits a USA side missing their striker against a Belgium team riding the most dramatic comeback in World Cup history. The match is set for 6 July (7 July NZT). For Kiwi fans, Belgium are a familiar name from the All Whites’ Group G — and they arrive in very different form to the side that stuttered early in the group stage.

USA face Belgium in the R16 on 6 July — familiar opponents for Kiwi fans who followed Group G.

How they got here

USA

Won Group D (6 pts). Beat Bosnia 2–0 in R32 but lost Balogun to a red card (64′). Pochettino’s side finished with 10 men.

Belgium

Drew their first two games in Group G (1–1 Egypt, 0–0 Iran), then won the group with a 5–1 rout of New Zealand — before the most dramatic R32 ever: 3–2 vs Senegal after extra time, from 2–0 down after the 85th minute. Tielemans’ 120+5′ penalty was the latest goal in World Cup history.

Key factors

Factor	USA	Belgium
R32 result	2–0 vs Bosnia	3–2 vs Senegal (a.e.t.)
Striker	Balogun BANNED (red card)	Lukaku (scored the 86′ lifeline)
Momentum	Solid but 10-man finish	Sky-high after historic comeback
Outright odds	26.00	36.00

Outright tournament winner odds as of 2 July ~08:00 ET (FOX / DraftKings).

The Balogun problem

Balogun scored the opener against Bosnia (45′) but was sent off in the 64th minute. VAR confirmed the red card, and Pochettino was unimpressed:

"For me, never is it a red card. Never was there intention to step on the player." — Mauricio Pochettino, ESPN, 1 July 2026

The automatic one-match suspension means Pochettino must find another option up front — a significant blow against a Belgium defence riding high.

Belgium’s transformation

In Group G, Belgium drew their opening two games — 1–1 with Egypt and 0–0 with Iran — before beating New Zealand 5–1 to top the group, a stop-start run that gave little hint of what was coming. The Senegal comeback changed everything. Coming from 2–0 down after the 85th minute — through Lukaku (86′), Tielemans (89′) and Tielemans again (120+5′ penalty) — the side that shared a group with New Zealand now look like contenders again.

No USA vs Belgium match odds are available yet — the R16 tie is on 6 July and specific 1X2 lines had not been published at the time of writing. Both sit at long outright prices (USA 26.00, Belgium 36.00). Check current prices with your bookmaker closer to kick-off.

USA vs Belgium is set for 6 July (approximately 7 July NZT).
USA are without Balogun (red card, automatic ban) — their R32 goalscorer.
Belgium arrive riding the biggest comeback in World Cup history (3–2 from 2–0 down, 120+5′ winner).
Both are outsiders for the tournament (USA 26.00, Belgium 36.00) — this is a genuine chance for either to make a deep run.
NZ connection: Belgium were in the All Whites’ Group G.

More on both sides: USA and Belgium. See the full bracket.

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When is USA vs Belgium?

6 July 2026 in the Round of 16 (approximately 7 July NZT). The exact kick-off time will be confirmed closer to the match.

Why is Balogun banned?

He received a red card in the 64th minute against Bosnia in the R32. The automatic one-match suspension rules him out of the R16.

What are the odds?

No specific USA vs Belgium 1X2 odds were available at the time of writing. Tournament outright: USA 26.00, Belgium 36.00 (FOX / DraftKings, 2 July 2026).