USMNT Opponent Profile: Belgium
U.S. Men’s National Team host ninth-ranked Belgium for seventh meeting in program history on March 28 in Atlanta, Georgia ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
The U.S. Men’s National Team are set to face Belgium on Saturday, March 28 in its first of four matches ahead of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup this summer. Here’s everything you need to know about the Red Devils before they take on the USA:
When is the USMNT vs. Belgium match?
The USMNT hosts Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday, March 28 at 3:30 p.m. ET. The match will be broadcast on TNT, HBO Max, Telemundo, Universo and Peacock.
What is the all-time history between the USA and Belgium?
The USA holds a 1W-5L-0D record against Belgium that dates back almost a century. The only USA win in the series was in the teams’ first meeting in Uruguay during the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup group stage. The U.S. won 3-0 behind the tournament’s first-ever hat trick by Bert Patenaude.
The last time the sides met was in another World Cup in the 2014 Round of 16 in Brazil. After a scoreless draw through regulation, a total of three goals scored in extra time resulted in a 2-1 Belgium victory. USA goalkeeper Tim Howard set a World Cup record with 16 saves in the match which led to him being dubbed the “Secretary of Defense.”
The only previous USA-Belgium meeting in the United States was in May 2013 at FirstEnergy Stadium (now Huntington Bank Field) in Cleveland, Ohio, where Belgium won 4-2.
What is Belgium’s world ranking?
Belgium is currently ranked ninth in the Coca-Cola FIFA Men’s World Rankings.
What is Belgium’s recent form?
In 2025, Belgium tallied a record of 6W-1L-3D on its way to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The team went 5W-0L-3D to finish atop UEFA Group J ahead of Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein. Belgium was drawn into Group G for the World Cup along with Egypt, IR Iran and New Zealand.
For comparison, the U.S. compiled an 8W-2L-2D record in its final 12 matches of the year, going 4W-0L-1D in the fall capped by a 5-1 rout over two-time World Cup winner and then 14th-ranked Uruguay.
Who is Belgium’s head coach?
Former French footballer Rudi Garcia was appointed the head coach of the Belgium national team in January 2025. Garcia has spent over 30 years as a club manager throughout France, Italy and Saudi Arabia. Before joining Belgium, he was the head coach of Serie A club Napoli.
Who are key Belgium players to watch?
Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and striker Romelu Lukaku are two of the most prolific Belgian playmakers and attackers. Both players competed in the last two USA-Belgium matches; in fact, De Bruyne scored the first goal before assisting Lukaku for the game-winner in the 2014 match.
Lukaku is Belgium’s all-time leading scorer with 89 goals in 124 caps. De Bruyne has 80+ goals/assists in 115 appearances. Both players recently returned from thigh injuries that sidelined them at the end of 2025. Other Belgian attackers to watch on Belgium’s March roster include Jérémy Doku, Charles De Ketelaere and Alexis Saelemaekers who combined for eight goals and 24 appearances in 2025.