Belgium players say they are ready for a difficult challenge when they face the United States in the FIFA World Cup round of 16 on Monday. The match will take place in Seattle, where a large home crowd is expected to back the American team.
Belgium defender Maxim De Cuyper said his teammates must stay calm and focus on their own game despite the atmosphere inside the stadium. He said the players need courage and confidence to perform well, whether they are playing in front of supporters cheering for them or against them.
The United States has received strong support throughout the tournament. Nearly 67,000 fans watched the Americans defeat Australia during the group stage in Seattle. Another packed crowd is expected for the knockout match, giving the hosts another boost as they try to reach the quarter-finals.
Belgium full-back Timothy Castagne said the crowd should not become a problem for his team. He explained that players often become fully focused on the match and pay little attention to the noise around them. Castagne also said the pressure could increase on the home team if the game does not go in its favor.
The two teams already met earlier this year in an international friendly. Belgium earned a convincing 5-2 victory over the United States in Atlanta in March. The result raised questions about the American team’s chances before the World Cup began.
Belgium forward Dodi Lukébakio, who scored twice in that friendly, believes the United States has improved since then. He said the American team has made clear progress during the tournament and should not be judged by the result of the earlier match.
De Cuyper also warned against reading too much into Belgium’s victory in March. He said the score did not fully reflect how competitive the match was. He praised goalkeeper Senne Lammens for making important saves and suggested the result could have been much closer without his performance.
The defender added that the earlier meeting still gives Belgium useful information before the knockout match. While both teams have changed since March, he believes reviewing that game can help Belgium prepare for the different challenges the United States may present.
The United States will be without striker Folarin Balogun, who is suspended after receiving a red card in the previous match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun has been one of the team’s most dangerous attacking players during the tournament, making his absence an important setback for the Americans.
When asked how Belgium plans to adjust, De Cuyper chose not to reveal tactical details. He said the United States has several players who can create scoring chances and believes Belgium must stay alert throughout the match.
Veteran midfielder Axel Witsel expects Belgium to make tactical changes for the game. He said the United States is likely to play with three defenders at the back, meaning Belgium must adapt its approach. Witsel added that Belgium has enough quality in its squad to create problems for the American defense, but he also stressed that this match will be very different from the friendly played earlier this year.
Belgium enters the knockout stage with confidence after a strong tournament, while the United States will look to use home support as an advantage in front of thousands of fans. Both teams know that a place in the World Cup quarter-finals is at stake, making Monday’s meeting one of the biggest matches of the tournament so far.
With both sides showing improvement during the competition, the last-16 clash promises to be a closely contested battle. Belgium hopes its experience will make the difference, while the United States will aim to continue its World Cup journey with the backing of a passionate home crowd.
