Belgium Unfazed by Pro-US Atmosphere in Seattle Last-16 Tie
Belgium’s squad have brushed off concerns about the raucous home support expected to greet them in Seattle on Monday, when they take on the United States in the World Cup round of 16. According to The Guardian, a near-capacity crowd is anticipated at the venue — the same ground where just under 67,000 fans watched the US beat Australia during the group stage.
Left-back Maxim De Cuyper was direct when asked about the prospect of playing in front of a partisan American crowd. “I think we just have to … show balls on the pitch,” he said, adding that the team’s approach must remain the same whether facing 80,000 supporters or playing with them.
Team-mate Timothy Castagne offered a more measured take, suggesting that home pressure can cut both ways. He pointed out that if the game turns against the hosts, the crowd could become a burden rather than a boost for the Americans — and that Belgium’s players tend to focus inward once they cross the white line.
March Friendly a Distant Memory
Belgium do carry some psychological advantage into the fixture. The two sides met in Atlanta in March, with Belgium running out convincing 5-2 winners. Dodi Lukébakio, who netted twice that day, acknowledged the Americans have improved considerably since then. De Cuyper also cautioned against reading too much into the scoreline, saying it gave a “distorted picture” of what was a closer contest than it appeared.
The Belgians will need to account for some significant changes on the US side. Striker Folarin Balogun — one of the Americans’ standout performers at this tournament — is suspended following a controversial red card in the previous round against Bosnia and Herzegovina. His absence is a notable blow to the US attack, though De Cuyper declined to be drawn on exactly how Belgium plans to exploit it.
Axel Witsel was more open in his assessment, telling reporters that Belgium will “absolutely have to adapt to the fact that they play three at the back,” while expressing confidence that his side has the tools to cause damage.
For a full breakdown of how Monday’s match could affect the standings, visit our World Cup 2026 hub and check the live standings to see how the knockout bracket is shaping up.