A lively, pro-American audience is anticipated in Seattle for the United States’ Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday. However, the Belgian team insists they are unfazed by the environment that awaits them.
“I think we just have to … show balls on the pitch,” left-back Maxim De Cuyper stated on Friday. “Try to play your own game. If you play against 80,000 supporters or with 80,000, you have to try to do the same.”
Throughout the tournament, the US has received robust backing from local fans, particularly in Seattle, where nearly 67,000 witnessed the Americans’ victory over Australia in their second group stage match.
“As soon as it turns a little less good for them, [the crowd] can also turn against them, and they will have more pressure,” said full-back Timothy Castagne. “So, I don’t have a problem, it doesn’t bother me. We play and we don’t hear what’s going on around the pitch. When we’re on the pitch, we’re a bit in our bubble.”
This encounter will not be the first between the two teams in 2026. In March, Belgium triumphed over the US with a commanding 5-2 scoreline in Atlanta, raising significant questions about the Americans’ chances in this World Cup.
“They have been growing a lot since the last friendly game,” remarked Dodi Lukébakio, who netted two goals in the 5-2 victory.
De Cuyper cautioned against overinterpreting Belgium’s earlier success, noting that the scoreline may have provided a “It was already being said back then that we might face the US at the World Cup,” He also commended Senne Lammens’s performance in that match, indicating that the outcome could have varied without the goalkeeper’s contributions.
“Of course, many players weren’t there at the time. But it is an advantage that we have already seen them. We are taking things away from it. Although it remains to be seen how they present themselves.” De Cuyper reflected. “I don’t want to say too much, which qualities are the best,”
The US will miss striker Folarin Balogun, who is suspended following a contentious red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun has been a key player for the United States during the tournament, but De Cuyper was cautious when asked how his team would adjust to facing different attacking threats.
“They have a lot of danger in the team.” he stated. “absolutely have to adapt to the fact that they play three at the back. I think we have the weapons to hurt them. We had already done it in a friendly in March, but today the context is totally different … in a stadium that will be only for them against us.”
Veteran midfielder Axel Witsel was more explicit, asserting that Belgium will “absolutely have to adapt to the fact that they play three at the back. I think we have the weapons to hurt them. We had already done it in a friendly in March, but today the context is totally different … in a stadium that will be only for them against us.”
