---
title: "Belgium End the Hosts' Run, Beating the United States 3-1 at the World Cup"
description: "Belgium knocked the host United States out of the World Cup with a 3-1 win in Seattle, Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice. Folarin Balogun, cleared to play after FIFA lifted his suspension in a reversal that followed a call from President Trump, could not change the game. Belgium go on to face Spain."
category: "Sports"
category_url: https://newsparlor.com/category/sports
author: "Lucas Silva"
published: 2026-07-07T01:18:00.000Z
updated: 2026-07-07T01:18:00.000Z
canonical: https://newsparlor.com/article/belgium-end-the-hosts-run-beating-the-united-states-3-1-at-the-world-cup
tags: ["world-cup-2026", "belgium", "usa", "de-ketelaere", "balogun"]
---
# Belgium End the Hosts' Run, Beating the United States 3-1 at the World Cup

Belgium knocked the host United States out of the World Cup with a 3-1 win in Seattle, Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice. Folarin Balogun, cleared to play after FIFA lifted his suspension in a reversal that followed a call from President Trump, could not change the game. Belgium go on to face Spain.

The United States' home World Cup ended on Monday in Seattle, where Belgium won 3-1 to send the host nation out in the round of 16. Belgium controlled much of the match and now advance to the quarterfinals to meet Spain.

## How it unfolded

Charles De Ketelaere put Belgium ahead early and, after the United States equalized through Malik Tillman, restored the lead soon after, [ESPN reported](https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/760507/belgium-united-states). Hans Vanaken added a third in the second half, and the two-goal cushion proved decisive as the American side could not find a way back, [NBC News reported](https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/soccer/live-blog/fifa-world-cup-2026-july-6-usa-live-updates-rcna353164).

## Balogun's muted return

Much of the pre-match attention had centered on the United States forward Folarin Balogun, who was available only because FIFA suspended the automatic ban he had picked up for an earlier red card, a reversal that came after President Donald Trump said he had phoned FIFA's president to ask for a review, [Yahoo Sports reported](https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/article/2026-world-cup-usmnt-striker-folarin-balogun-available-vs-belgium-after-red-card-ban-suspended-following-president-trumps-reported-call-to-fifa-164042013.html). On the night, Balogun made little impact against a well-drilled Belgian defense, and the intervention that put him on the pitch did not change the result.

## Out on home soil

For the United States, hosting the tournament had raised hopes of a long run, and the early exit will sting. The team had come through its opening knockout match but ran into a more experienced side that took its chances and defended its lead with control. Belgium, meanwhile, keep going: next up is Spain, who reached the last eight by beating Portugal, in a quarterfinal between two of the tournament's more accomplished squads.

## Sources

- [USA vs. Belgium (Jul 6, 2026) live score and report](https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/760507/belgium-united-states)
- [World Cup 2026 live updates: Belgium beat U.S. 3-1](https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/soccer/live-blog/fifa-world-cup-2026-july-6-usa-live-updates-rcna353164)
- [USMNT striker Folarin Balogun available vs. Belgium after red-card ban suspended](https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/article/2026-world-cup-usmnt-striker-folarin-balogun-available-vs-belgium-after-red-card-ban-suspended-following-president-trumps-reported-call-to-fifa-164042013.html)