Belgium ended the United States’ 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory in the Round of 16 on Monday in Seattle, ensuring that all three tournament co-hosts were eliminated before the quarter-finals.
The defeat completed a disappointing outing for the host nations, with the United States joining Canada and Mexico on the list of early exits.
Canada became the first co-host to bow out after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Morocco on Saturday.
Mexico followed on Sunday despite a spirited performance at Estadio Azteca, where England secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory to end the hosts’ campaign.
Hoping to keep North America’s World Cup dream alive, Mauricio Pochettino’s United States side fought back after Malik Tillman scored a deflected free-kick to cancel out Belgium’s early lead.
Belgium, however, proved too strong in the second half. Charles De Ketelaere netted twice to inspire the European side, while Hans Vanaken capitalized on a costly goalkeeping error to extend the lead.
Veteran striker Romelu Lukaku sealed the emphatic victory with a stoppage-time goal, sending Belgium into the quarter-finals.
With the exits of the United States, Canada and Mexico, the expanded 48-team tournament will continue without any of its host nations.
Attention now shifts to the quarter-finals, where football heavyweights including France, Argentina, Spain and Morocco will battle for a place in the final scheduled for July 19.
