U.S. Secures Knockout Spot After Dominant Win
The United States men's national team celebrated a milestone on Tuesday, advancing to the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 24 years after a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. The result, sealed with goals from Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams, underscored the team's growth under coach Gregg Berhalter and set the stage for a high‑stakes encounter with Belgium.
However, the triumph was tempered by the dismissal of forward Folarin Balogun, who received a controversial red card in the 64th minute. The decision left the Americans a man down for the final half‑hour and forced Berhalter to re‑evaluate his attacking options just weeks before the tournament's decisive phase.
The next test arrives on Monday, July 6, at 7 p.m. CT in Seattle, where the United States will meet Belgium in the Round of 16. The match will be televised on Fox and streamed on the Fox One App, Fubo, and Peacock in Spanish, giving fans multiple avenues to follow the action.
Belgium's own path to the knockout stage was anything but straightforward. The European side rallied with three late goals to overturn a 2‑2 stalemate against Senegal, securing a 3‑2 win that highlighted their resilience and depth.
The tournament's structure now features 32 teams competing for the championship, a shift from the 48‑team group phase that preceded it. The final is slated for Sunday, July 19, at 2 p.m. CT at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, promising a crescendo of excitement for a global audience.