
Belgium’s Unpredictable Surge Sets Up Tense Clash with the USMNT
Belgium’s dramatic penalty win over Senegal highlights their erratic style, setting up a high‑stakes showdown with a USMNT side missing striker Folarin Balogun.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Kevin De Bruyne across Soccer, Football.

Belgium’s dramatic penalty win over Senegal highlights their erratic style, setting up a high‑stakes showdown with a USMNT side missing striker Folarin Balogun.

The United States will meet Belgium in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, a match that pits the 17th‑ranked USMNT against the 9th‑ranked Belgians, who advanced after a last‑minute penalty over Senegal.

Belgium’s uneven start meets Senegal’s resurgence, as key Serie A players and a last‑minute goalkeeper change set the stage for a compelling clash.

A C$158 million facelift has transformed Toronto Stadium into a compact yet electric arena. As Portugal and Croatia meet in the last‑32, the venue’s unique setting and the stakes for two legends promise a memorable finale.

Ahead of the World Cup last‑32 clash, Portugal and Croatia meet in Toronto, where Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric could play their last World Cup game before a uniquely intimate arena.

Portugal and Croatia meet in a last‑32 clash that could mark the final World Cup appearances of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric, set against the intimate backdrop of Toronto Stadium.

France tops the standings with Kylian Mbappe leading the scoring, Mexico advances unbeaten, and several under‑dogs prepare for decisive matches.

A 5‑1 victory over New Zealand propels Belgium to the top of Group G, with De Bruyne scoring his first tournament goal and Lukaku breaking a national record, while manager Rudi Garcia urges focus on the upcoming round‑of‑32 clash.

Ousmane Dembélé's first‑half hat‑trick, Pape Gueye's double‑assist, and Spain's flawless group run highlight a day of surprising results and record‑breaking performances.

The Athletic’s daily World Cup predictions combine seasoned analysis, youthful flair, and even a canine voice to preview key matchups and emerging storylines.

The Athletic offers daily forecasts for the tournament, featuring expert insights, fan predictions and a unique leaderboard that tracks accuracy.
Four group‑stage fixtures and two knockout‑stage contests will showcase stars such as Jérémy Doku, Christian Pulisic, Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah, highlighting the tournament’s reach beyond traditional venues.

Daily predictions blend statistical analysis with unexpected voices, highlighting key storylines and potential upsets across four crucial matches.

Belgium opens its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Egypt, riding a strong qualifying run but facing defensive uncertainty with Zeno Debast sidelined.

A whirlwind of 19 goals on the fourth day of the tournament highlighted offensive firepower, technological experiments and the growing influence of diaspora players, setting the stage for a contested final venue debate.

The 2026 World Cup, spread across the United States, Mexico and Canada, opened with the United States and Mexico securing victories, while Germany faces Curacao in a classic David‑versus‑Goliath clash.

The 2026 World Cup will be the first edition co‑hosted by three countries and the first to feature a 48‑team format. Argentina aims to defend its title and become the first side to win consecutive tournaments since Brazil in 1962, while Germany hopes to finally advance beyond the group stage. BFW analysts predict Spain, France and Germany as top contenders, with Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal among the players expected to shine.

With the tournament set to span three nations, local mentors discuss France’s edge, the U.S. squad’s potential, and the rising stars who could reshape the global game.

Belgium enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup ranked ninth, blending veteran leadership with fresh talent as they target a deep run, though Lukaku’s fitness remains a key uncertainty.

Croatia will host Belgium in a World Cup 2026 warm‑up on June 2, 2026, at a venue in Rijeka, marking a rare meeting between two of the continent’s most consistent sides. Both nations arrive with top‑11 FIFA rankings, and the fixture will showcase a blend of seasoned stars and emerging talent as each nation fine‑tunes its squad for the tournament. For Croatia, the game doubles as a symbolic passing of the torch; veteran coach Zlatko Dalic will lead the team into the finals for the third straight tournament, while 40‑year‑old Luka Modrić is set to play his final World Cup appearance, ending a career that includes 196 caps for the national team. Belgium, meanwhile, is looking to replace the golden generation that dominated the 2010s. Coach Rudi Garcia has called up a host of new faces, including Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois and Axel Witsel, who are expected to feature prominently. The most recent encounter between the two sides ended in a goalless draw at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a result that underscored Belgium’s group‑stage exit after a single win. Lukaku, who has managed only seven appearances for Napoli this season, will need the match to regain sharpness. With both teams eager to test tactics and fitness, the June 2 clash promises to be more than a friendly; it will be a final rehearsal for a tournament that will see Modrić’s swan song and Belgium’s attempt to usher in a fresh era of talent.

Barcelona is preparing a $116 million offer for Julián Álvarez, a versatile Argentine striker whose pressing intensity and goal record match manager Hansi Flick’s high‑tempo system. The move promises to replace Robert Lewandowski, yet Atlético Madrid’s reluctance adds a layer of complexity.

Bruno Fernandes' 21st Premier League assist broke a long‑standing record, but the circumstances surrounding the goal have sparked a heated discussion about credit and classification.

Bruno Fernandes breaks the Premier League assist record with 21 assists, earning footballer of the year honors

Bruno Fernandes' 21 assists in a single Premier League season break the previous record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne, and his recent assist against Brighton earned him the English Footballer of the Year award.