The United States advances to the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Folarin Balogun’s 45th-minute goal proved to be enough for the United States to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday night.
So what’s next for the United States at the World Cup?
A match against Belgium, one of the ten best teams in the world before the start of the tournament. Belgium booked a place in the round of 16 with a dramatic comeback against Senegal, and now awaits the United States in the round of 16.
Here’s what you need to know about Belgium ahead of Monday’s showdown.
Belgium’s race to the round of 16
Belgium achieved something we haven’t seen since, well, the United States during the 2010 World Cup.
Winning the group despite not winning any of their first two games.
After a pair of impeccable performances in the group stage (a 1-1 draw with Egypt followed by a 0-0 draw with Iran, with the only own goal by Egyptian defender Mohamed Hany), Belgium secured top spot in Group G with a 5-1 win over New Zealand, booking a round of 32 match against Senegal.
In that match against New Zealand a pair of goals from Leandro Trossard, the first in the 28th minute and the second in the 50th minute, were enough for Belgium to continue ahead. But Rudi Garcia’s side added three more for good measure as Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Saelemaekers and Kevin De Bruyne all scored. De Bruyne’s shot, from outside the area, was especially impressive.
Then came the match against Senegal in the round of 32, which almost mirrored Belgium’s run to the last 16 of the World Cup. The first 85 minutes or so were all Senegal’s as the African team built a 2-0 lead and looked to be advancing to the round of 16.
Everything then changed in the last minutes of ordinary time.
First it was Lukaku, who came on as a substitute and scored for Belgium in the 86th minute:
Then, a few minutes later, Youri Tielemans somehow managed to get the ball into the box and his header tied Belgium:
The game went to extra time, and in the second 15 minutes, Tielemans again asked for the ball in the area, only this time he was knocked down to the grass.
After a video review, a penalty was awarded. Tielemans stepped up, hit his shot and almost sent Belgium to the round of 16:
Moments later that was official, when the final whistle sounded.
The Napoli midfielder made his 123rd appearance for Belgium against Senegal, and his moment of brilliance against New Zealand illustrates what the former Manchester City player is capable of:
That goal, which came days before his 35th birthday, was his 38th international goal for Belgium. He was also a key player for Belgium during the team’s run to third place at the 2018 World Cup, as he finished the tournament with a goal and a pair of assists.
The imposing striker, used more as a super substitute at this point in his career, can still impact a game. Coming off the bench against Egypt in Belgium’s first group game, his team equalized just seconds after he entered the field, and his presence up front impacted the flow of the game.
And it was his goal against Senegal at the end of the match that brought Belgium back into the contest:
Lukaku appeared in just five games for Napoli last year, scoring one goal, but appears to be almost fully fit at this point in the World Cup. And that comes at a dangerous time for America’s defenders.
The midfielder was a key part of Arsenal’s run to the Premier League title, scoring six goals and adding six assists during the EPL season. His brace against New Zealand was one of the main reasons Belgium won the group, and this goal highlights his skill and quality:
Not only do you see the lovely touch and spin, but the reaction skills to get the ball to his foot off the deflection and finish are top-notch.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper remains one of the best to ever do it.
While Thibaut Courtois may retire from the international stage after this World Cup, he remains a towering presence in goal, his 6’7 stature sending shivers down the spines of many forwards. Courtois won the Golden Glove at the 2018 World Cup, recording 27 saves, keeping three clean sheets in seven games and conceding just six times.
While he has battled injuries in recent years, including missing the entire 2023-24 season with a torn ACL, he has only conceded two goals before the round of 16.
He also set a new national record in the match against New Zealand, as it was his 18th World Cup tie with Belgium.
The Manchester City striker is yet to score in the 2026 World Cup, with a couple of assists to his name, and was substituted in the second half against Senegal. Doku also missed the game against Iraq due to a respiratory infection and briefly returned home to be with his wife Shireen as the couple celebrated the birth of their first child, Praise.
While he has yet to open his account at the 2026 World Cup, he remains a threat that the USMNT will have to monitor when he is on the field.