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.
Jul 2, 2026
Person
Romelu Lukaku
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Romelu Lukaku across Football, Soccer.
World Cup Predictions: England’s Narrow Win, Belgium’s Comeback and Matchday 22 Outlook
A look at Matchday 21 drama, key player performances and the forecasts for the upcoming Round of 32 fixtures.
Jul 2, 2026
U.S. Braces for Crucial Round‑of‑16 Clash with Belgium at 2026 World Cup
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.
Jul 2, 2026
Belgium and Senegal Clash in a Surprising World Cup Showdown
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.
Jul 1, 2026
World Cup Round of 32: France Leads, Mexico Stays Unbeaten, and Surprising Advances Continue
France tops the standings with Kylian Mbappe leading the scoring, Mexico advances unbeaten, and several under‑dogs prepare for decisive matches.
Jul 1, 2026
Belgium Clinches Group G Lead with Dominant 5‑1 Win Over New Zealand
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.
Jun 27, 2026
World Cup Day 16: Dembélé’s Hat-Trick and Historic Advances
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.
Jun 27, 2026
The 3D Revolution Transforming Football Viewing
A look at how three‑dimensional broadcasting, powered by FIFA's offside data and immersiv.io, is reshaping how audiences experience football and what the future may hold.
Jun 24, 2026
The Art of the Dummy: How Deception Shapes Modern Football
A deep dive into the subtle yet decisive act known as the dummy, from Thiago Almada’s telepathic pass for Lionel Messi to historic moments that illustrate its strategic power.
Jun 23, 2026
The Athletic’s Daily World Cup Forecasts Blend Expertise and Playful Prediction
The Athletic offers daily forecasts for the tournament, featuring expert insights, fan predictions and a unique leaderboard that tracks accuracy.
Jun 21, 2026
Belgium Eyes First Win Against Iran in Los Angeles
With both sides looking for their opening victory, Belgium will field a reshuffled backline and a Lukaku‑driven attack against Iran at Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday evening.
Jun 21, 2026
The World Cup: A Distant Spectacle and the Luxury of Half‑Watching
The author reflects on watching the World Cup from afar, describing it as ambient noise that fills silences, and contrasts that with the immersive, sometimes risky experience of attending matches in person, noting the freedom to half‑watch and the varied emotional impact of the tournament.
Jun 18, 2026
World Cup Matchday 5: Predictions from Fans, a Child, a Dog and an Algorithm
Daily predictions blend statistical analysis with unexpected voices, highlighting key storylines and potential upsets across four crucial matches.
Jun 15, 2026
Belgium Eyes Victory in Opening World Cup Clash Against Egypt
Belgium opens its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Egypt, riding a strong qualifying run but facing defensive uncertainty with Zeno Debast sidelined.
Jun 15, 2026
2026 FIFA World Cup Kicks Off with Thrilling Upsets and Star‑Studded Lineups
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.
Jun 14, 2026
Belgium’s Golden Generation Eyes Quarter‑Final Push at 2026 World Cup
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.
Jun 9, 2026
Divock Origi opens up about World Cup glory, family legacy and the road to Liverpool
From a childhood training with his father in Kenya to scoring the decisive goal for Belgium in 2014, Divock Origi details the personal and professional challenges that defined his journey, including setbacks at Liverpool, a devastating injury, and the role of faith in his recovery.
Jun 8, 2026
Croatia to Host Final World Cup Warm‑up Against Belgium as Modrić Bids Farewell
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.
Jun 2, 2026
The 2026 World Cup: Rules, Rituals, and the Road Ahead
Ahead of the first World Cup hosted by three nations, analysts explain how extra time is measured, the impact of VAR, substitution strategies, the pain of knee‑slide celebrations and why some players prefer socks over knees.
Jun 1, 2026
Iconic World Cup Moments: A Journey Through 100 Defining Episodes
A look at the defining moments that have shaped football’s greatest stage, from historic upsets to individual masterpieces.
Jun 1, 2026
Pep Guardiola’s Decade at Manchester City Ends Amidst Legacy and Turmoil
Pep Guardiola confirmed he will leave Manchester City after nearly ten years, concluding a tenure that reshaped English football but now faces a decline and external scrutiny.
May 21, 2026
Belgium Names Star-Studded Squad for Upcoming World Cup
The Belgian national team has revealed its roster for the forthcoming World Cup, featuring players from top European clubs and a few surprising selections.
May 15, 2026
Chelsea Teams Up with Roc Nation to Redefine U.S. Sports Culture
Chelsea Football Club and Roc Nation Sports International have announced a strategic partnership to boost the club's cultural relevance across the United States through music, fashion, and entertainment.
May 14, 2026