The Guardian's live blog covers the USA v Belgium last-16 tie at the 2026 World Cup, held in Seattle. It matters because it is a knockout game with a quarter-final place at stake, and because the co-hosting USA have unexpectedly captured public support with strong performances, making this one of the tournament's marquee ties.

Both managers sprang selection talking points. The USA named an unchanged side but are without striker Folarin Balogun, who is suspended after a contentious red card that has become a political story — Donald Trump confirmed he had asked Fifa president Gianni Infantino to review the dismissal, which the writer suggests has cooled some fans' enthusiasm for the team. Belgium's Rudi Garcia made the bold call to bench Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku, apparently keeping them in reserve for extra time or a shootout. The piece also recalls shared history: both nations played at the first World Cup in 1930, Belgium beat the USA in the 2014 last 16, and both have carried "Golden Generation" expectations.