Team USA is trying to accomplish what the other two host nations of the 2026 FIFA World Cup failed to: advance to the quarterfinals. The United States hosts Belgium for its Round of 16 game at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, Monday for an 8 p.m. ET kickoff.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re aware of FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s controversial decision to suspend American striker Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban after he was issued a bogus red card in the USA’s 2-0 victory vs. Bosnia in the Round of 32.
TRUMP ADDRESSES FIFA’S DECISION ON USA STAR FOLARIN BALOGUN’S WORLD CUP SUSPENSION
United States President Donald Trump speaks after receiving the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the World Cup 2026 Final Draw. (Amber Searls-Imagn Images)
Obviously, the Belgians are heated, and honestly, I’d be too.
BELGIUM ‘CONSIDERING ALL POSSIBLE OPTIONS’ AFTER FIFA CLEARS TEAM USA’S FOLARIN BALOGUN
However, we deserve it. Even though VAR somehow upheld it, any reasonable person would agree that Balogun shouldn’t have gotten a red card. Also, between our infrastructure, hospitality and Americana, we have done a phenomenal job hosting the 2026 World Cup.
Nonetheless, it’s all hands on deck for the United States for this game. Belgium is the ninth-ranked team in the world, and Team USA is 16th, according to FIFA. The Red Devils smoked the Stars and Stripes 5-2 in an international friendly back in March.
United States forward Folarin Balogun kicks the ball against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. (David Gonzales)
Besides home-field advantage, which is huge in soccer, we should have a fitness edge over Belgium Monday. The United States is younger and more athletic, and the Belgians beat Senegal 3-2 in a draining 133-minute Round of 32 game.
ESPN WRITER HATES TEAM USA GETTING FOLARIN BALOGUN BACK, SAYS ANY WORLD CUP SUCCESS IS NOW ‘TAINTED’
United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) and United States’ Christian Pulisic (10) stand by after Balogun received a red card during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Furthermore, with Balogun miraculously reinstated alongside Christian Pulisic and Malik Tillman, Team USA will look to use their athletic advantage to press Belgium’s older backline, who could be fatigued from that extra-time game vs. Senegal five days ago.
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As you can probably tell by my we’s and our’s, I’m not exactly an objective analyst here. So, take my pick for this game with a pinch of salt. But, based on the four American World Cup games I’ve watched, there is no way we get eliminated by Belgium Monday. GIMME TEAM USA TO ADVANCE (-130).
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Geoff Clark serves as OutKick’s sports betting guru.
