The United States were knocked out of the 2026 World Cup they are co-hosting, losing 4-1 to Belgium in the last 16 at Seattle Stadium — their heaviest defeat since 1990. The result ended growing national optimism that Mauricio Pochettino's side, who had impressed earlier in the tournament, might reach the latter stages, and it capped a chaotic build-up dominated by a refereeing controversy.

The defeat followed Fifa's disputed decision to suspend striker Folarin Balogun's red card from the previous round for 12 months, allowing him to start against Belgium. The move drew widespread criticism from Uefa, Belgium and England manager Thomas Tuchel, and even prompted President Donald Trump to ask Fifa to review it. Balogun struggled to make an impact, and Pochettino insisted the saga did not affect his team, blaming poor defending instead. Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, Hans Vanaken capitalised on a keeper error, and Romelu Lukaku added a late fourth as fans streamed out early. Belgium now face Spain in the quarter-finals.