Belgium unfazed by hostile Seattle atmosphere
The USA will have fervent support at Lumen Field in Seattle for their World Cup last-16 tie, but Belgium players are not worried. Full-back Maxim De Cuyper insisted the Red Devils will need to “show balls” to handle the occasion.
“I think we just have to … show balls on the pitch,” De Cuyper said. “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.”
His teammate, Timothy Castagne, added that pressure could shift onto the hosts if things go poorly.
“As soon as it turns a little less good for them, [the crowd] can also turn against them, and they will have more pressure,” Castagne explained. “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.”
Friendly lessons and distorted scorelines
The two nations met in March, with Belgium thrashing the United States 5-2 in Atlanta. Dodi Lukébakio, who scored twice that day, acknowledged the Americans have improved.
“They have been growing a lot since the last friendly game,” Lukébakio said.
However, De Cuyper warned against using that result as a benchmark, calling it a “distorted picture” and praising goalkeeper Senne Lammens for keeping the scoreline respectable.
Balogun’s absence offers opportunity
The U. S. will be without striker Folarin Balogun, suspended after a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun has been one of their most dangerous attackers, but De Cuyper remained guarded about the impact.
“I don’t want to say too much, which qualities are the best,” he said. “They have a lot of danger in the team.”
Veteran midfielder Axel Witsel was more direct, saying Belgium must “absolutely have to adapt” to the Americans’ back-three system and that they have the weapons to hurt the hosts again.
Key Takeaways
- Belgium are confident of handling a sell-out, pro-US crowd in Seattle, with players emphasizing mental toughness.
- The 5-2 friendly win in March is seen as partly misleading, and Belgium expects a tougher challenge.
- The suspension of Folarin Balogun removes a key US threat but Belgium remains wary of the home side’s depth.
- A win for either team would set up a quarter-final clash; Belgium are slight favorites based on recent form.
Quick Facts
Fixture: USA vs Belgium, World Cup last-16
Date: Monday, July 6 (local time)
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle
Previous meeting: Belgium 5-2 USA (friendly, March 2026)
USA key absence: Folarin Balogun (suspended)