Belgium starting lineup vs USMNT: Rudi Garcia’s XI for the round of 16 game
Belgium are set for a round of 16 match with the United States and Rudi Garcia will be picking his best XI available with a quarterfinal spot on the line.
This is the last chance for Belgium’s so called “golden era” and tonight they go up against one of the most in form sides in this tournament. There has been a lot of chatter about the rescinded red card from USA striker Folarin Balogun, but once kick off comes it will be all about the two XIs on the pitch. This is the XI of Rudi Garcia.
Belgium’s path to round of 16
Belgium hasn’t looked like the powerhouse that we have considered them over the last decade or so. They have some aging stars, and the next generation haven’t shown the capacity to take the torch from this golden era and carry this country into the chapter. The flame might be fading, but this is one last dance for guys like Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois.
They started the group stages with two straight draws against Egypt and Iran. That forced them into a must win situation heading into the final match of the group stage and Belgium finally exploded for five goals to win the group and move on to the knockout rounds.
What a way to bag your brace, Youri Tielemans!
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 1, 2026
The biggest moment for Belgium was seized by the captain 🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/nb4hpf7zhd
The knockout round came and once again Belgium failed to impress until the final five minutes of the 90. They were down 2-0 after 51 minutes and didn’t score the first goal until Lukaku cut the lead in half at the 86 minute mark. Youri Tielemans leveled the game in the 89th and sent the match into extra time where Belgium scored in the final minute of the second ET session with a Tielemans goal from the penalty spot.
Belgium XI
Tonight will be their toughest test of the WOrld Cup so far. The USMNT have been playing free flowing, attacking soccer and for the first time maybe ever believe they can make a run in this tournament. These two teams played back in March and Belgium smoked the US, 5-2 but things are different now.
Rudi Garcia´s XI is out and it looks like this: Courtois in goal with De Cuyper, Ngoy, Mechele and Castagne in the back with Raskin, Onana and Tielemans in the midfield. Trossard, Lukebakio and De Ketelaere are up top as De Bruyne and Lukaku start on the bench.
There has been and will be plenty of talk about the over turned red card that has been “awarded” to Balogun, but once the round of 16 match it’s all about what happens during the 90 minutes. The winner of this match plays Spain in the quarterfinals, after the Spainards just knocked out Portugal in the earlier match.
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