← World Cup hub
WORLD CUP 2026 · Tuesday, 7 July 2026 at 01:00 BST
USA
1 – 4
Belgium

Match preview

Belgium enter as clear favourites, with the model giving them a 49% chance. USA likely need an early goal or a red card to turn it.

30%
USA
21%
Draw
49%
Belgium
Model fair odds
USA
3.33
Draw
4.76
Belgium
2.04

Decimal fair odds from the model probabilities before bookmaker margin.

USA
30%
Draw
21%
Belgium
49%
Elo rating: 1855 vs 1996 (-141)
Recent form: LWLWW vs LWWWD
Host advantage: Neutral venue
Model verdict: 30% / 21% / 49%
Most likely scores
Belgium 1–0 (12%)
Draw 1–1 (12%)
Belgium 2–0 (10%)
Belgium 2–1 (10%)
Why Belgium are favourites (49%)
  • Belgium carry the higher Elo rating (141 points)
  • Neutral venue — no home advantage applied
  • USA won 3 of their last five (3W 2L)
  • Belgium won 3 of their last five (3W 1D 1L)
  • Head-to-head treated as neutral — too few recent meetings to weigh (10% of the blend)

These factors combine to produce the 30% / 21% / 49% verdict above.

Expected match pattern

Belgium are expected to control possession and territory, while USA will likely rely on defensive organisation and counter-attacks. An early Belgium goal would force USA to open up, raising the chance of a multi-goal result; the longer it stays level, the more pressure shifts onto the favourites.

Expected goals: USA 1 · Belgium 1.6

Quick stats

MetricUSABelgium
Elo rating18551996
Last 5 record3W 2L3W 1D 1L
Goals last 51113
Goals conceded last 586
Clean sheets last 521

USA — last 5

  • Lv Belgium14
  • Wv Bosnia & Herzegovina20
  • L@ Türkiye23
  • Wv Australia20
  • Wv Paraguay41

Belgium — last 5

  • L@ Spain12
  • W@ USA41
  • Wv Senegal32
  • W@ New Zealand51
  • Dv Iran00

Head to head

07 Jul 2026
USA
14
Belgium
28 Mar 2026
USA
25
Belgium
01 Jul 2014
Belgium
21
USA

Confirmed lineups

USA · 3-5-2
  1. 24M. Freese G
  2. 16A. Freeman D
  3. 3C. Richards D
  4. 13T. Ream D
  5. 2S. Dest D
  6. 8W. McKennie M
  7. 4T. Adams M
  8. 17M. Tillman M
  9. 5A. Robinson D
  10. 10C. Pulisic F
  11. 20F. Balogun F
Belgium · 4-2-3-1
  1. 1T. Courtois G
  2. 21T. Castagne D
  3. 25N. Ngoy D
  4. 4B. Mechele D
  5. 5M. De Cuyper D
  6. 24A. Onana M
  7. 8Y. Tielemans M
  8. 10L. Trossard F
  9. 23N. Raskin M
  10. 14D. Lukebakio F
  11. 17C. De Ketelaere F

Key matchups

C. Pulisic vs N. Ngoy

USA's focal point in attack against the heart of Belgium's defence.

T. Adams vs Y. Tielemans

The central-midfield battle most likely to decide who controls possession and territory.

L. Trossard vs T. Ream

Belgium's main outlet — how USA's central defence handles him shapes the counter-attack threat.

Predictions are model output, not betting advice. The model blends an Elo rating, last-5 form and host advantage; ratings update after every tournament result, and fair odds and likely scorelines are derived from the same blend. Bet responsibly — 18+. See PuntHub for verified tipster services.