The United States Men’s National Team’s 2026 World Cup campaign concluded on a difficult note, as they were eliminated in the Round of 16 following a decisive 4-1 defeat to Belgium. Despite the expanded tournament format allowing the U.S. to secure their first knockout stage victory since 2002, the team exited the competition at the same stage as in 2022, ending what had been an unforgettable summer.
U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino had aimed to achieve a significant milestone, hoping to become the first manager since Bruce Arena in 2002 to guide the U.S. to a quarterfinal berth. However, his aspirations were cut short as Belgium comfortably dispatched the Stars and Stripes in the tournament they were co-hosting.
For Belgium, often referred to as the Red Devils, the victory felt particularly sweet. Manager Rudi Garcia had downplayed pre-match speculation regarding Folarin Balogun’s eligibility after his red card in the Round of 32, but the team’s performance spoke volumes. This win not only offered a measure of revenge but also extended the momentum Belgium had built with a late surge against Senegal in the Round of 32, finally showcasing the team they aspired to be after a less-than-stellar group stage.
While the elimination was a bitter pill, there were still some bright spots Monday, but there also were some players whose stock took a hit. Here are the winners and losers from the elimination game:
Malik Tillman was a definite bright spot. He had already enjoyed a strong World Cup, and his free-kick goal in the 31st minute initially appeared to ignite a U.S. comeback. Unfortunately, the Stars and Stripes conceded almost immediately afterward, though this was no fault of Tillman’s, who also demonstrated good connecting play throughout the night. Having broken out at the 2025 Gold Cup, the 24-year-old exceeded expectations this summer and is anticipated to be a key player in the next cycle, with increasing the volume of chances created identified as his next developmental step.
The Pacific Northwest crowd at Lumen Field also earned praise. Known for its deep love for soccer, particularly at MLS matches, the region rarely hosts U.S. national team games. Yet, for the second time in this tournament, the Seattle crowd proved to be a loud, patriotic force, actively trying to energize the U.S. team and responding enthusiastically to every major moment. With U.S. Soccer planning a new headquarters in the Atlanta area, future opportunities for the national teams to play on the Pacific coast may diminish, but the region certainly rose to the occasion this summer.
On the other side, several players faced a challenging night. Sergiño Dest endured a roller coaster tournament, culminating in a difficult performance against Belgium. He was notably slow to react on both the first and second goals, never quite finding his rhythm in the game, which led to his substitution at halftime. While Dest offers considerable attacking prowess, his defensive contributions will be crucial for him to maintain his place on the field.
The U.S. goalkeeper, whose role often hinges on a few critical moments, had a quiet tournament until the Belgium match. When called into action, he failed to stop the first two shots and then committed a puzzling error: after claiming a ball, he feinted a clearance instead of simply booting it away. This mistake directly led to Belgium’s 3-1 lead and appeared to completely deflate the U.S. team as they desperately sought an equalizer.
For Christian Pulisic, the team’s star, the match was marred by injury, echoing a similar setback in the group stage. The 27-year-old, playing in a home World Cup during the prime of his career, attempted to play through pain after being hurt while taking a shot from just outside the box. Contact with Youri Tielemans’ foot disrupted his motion, resulting in knee and ankle pain that forced him out of the game. Despite a rocky club season, Pulisic had shown great form in pre-tournament friendlies and in the first 45 minutes against Paraguay before a calf issue sidelined him for the second group game. Pulisic hopes to return as a veteran leader for the team in 2030, but acknowledges that nothing, especially good health, is guaranteed.
