The US men’s national soccer team is out of its own World Cup. A 4-1 defeat against Belgium at Seattle’s Lumen Field on July 6 ended the USMNT’s tournament run in the Round of 16, sending the co-host nation home earlier than anyone in the federation had planned for.
It was a loss that stung on multiple levels. As a co-host alongside Canada and Mexico, the US entered 2026 carrying the kind of expectation that home-field advantage tends to generate.
How it unfolded
Goalkeeper Matt Freese drew particular attention for his role in the defeat, with a notable error contributing to Belgium’s advantage.
Adding to the pre-match noise was a reported controversy surrounding striker Folarin Balogun, whose potential suspension was linked to discussions involving former President Donald Trump and FIFA officials.
