USMNT starting lineup vs Belgium: Mauricio Pochettino’s XI for the round of 16 game
The USMNT will face their first knockout-stage match in this World Cup. Here’s what Pochettino’s starting eleven will be.
The time has come for the decisive phase of the World Cup. The round of 32 got underway last Sunday, with several surprises and a series of closely contested matches. The United States will begin its knockout-stage campaign today, Wednesday, against Bosnia & Herzegovina, a team the Americans are favoured to beat.
The USMNT made a strong start to the tournament. They opened with a convincing rout of Paraguay before defeating Australia 2-0. However, they ended the group stage on a disappointing note, suffering a 3-2 defeat to an already-eliminated Turkey side in a highly competitive match. Now, the Americans must regroup as they look to book their place in the round of 16.
The biggest question surrounding Mauricio Pochettino’s starting lineup is Christian Pulisic. The AC Milan winger suffered an injury during the U.S. opener against Paraguay, forcing him to miss the match against Australia. However, he returned against Turkey and played 32 minutes without any issues. As a result, Pochettino is expected to restore him to the starting XI, with Ricardo Pepi likely to make way.
The rest of the lineup is expected to remain unchanged. Pochettino is likely to stick with the system that served his team well in the opening two group-stage matches, as the United States has shown both attacking intent and offensive firepower under the Argentine’s tactical approach.
USMNT XI against Belgium:
Goalkeeper: Freese
Defenders: Dest, Freeman, Ream, Richard, Robinson
Midfielders: Pulisic, Adams, Tillman, Robinson, McKennie
Forwards: Balogun
🗣️ "It's nothing to debate."
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 6, 2026
Mauricio Pochettino on Folarin Balogun's one-game ban being suspended by Fifa following an intervention by Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/irrR0BvQD8
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