The United States, co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, have been knocked out at the last-16 stage after a heavy 4-1 defeat by Belgium in Seattle. The result matters both sportingly and politically: it came amid a furore over a red card shown to USA striker Folarin Balogun, a controversy linked to Donald Trump, and it has fuelled a growing backlash against Fifa. The USA camp, including captain Tim Ream, insisted the political row had no bearing on the outcome.

Portugal also exited, with 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo confirming through tears that he has played his final World Cup game following a 1-0 defeat by Spain in Dallas. Belgium's social media team taunted the USA with an "overturn this" jibe after the red-card row. Two last-16 ties remain, Argentina v Egypt and Switzerland v Colombia, which will complete the quarter-final line-up ahead of the final on 19 July.