On March 28, 2026, the USA faced Belgium in a friendly match at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Both teams had already qualified for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, making this match a crucial part of their preparations.
The USA opened the scoring with a goal from Weston McKennie in the 39th minute, giving the home team an early lead. However, Belgium quickly responded, equalizing just before halftime with a goal from Zeno Debast in the 45th minute.
In the second half, Belgium took control of the match. Charles De Ketelaere converted a penalty in the 55th minute, putting Belgium ahead 3-1. The situation worsened for the USA when Dodi Lukebakio scored two goals in quick succession, at the 68th and 83rd minutes, sealing a 5-2 victory for Belgium.
This defeat marked a significant moment for the USA, as they have not beaten Belgium since the 1930 World Cup. The match was described as an embarrassment for the USMNT, with some commentators labeling it one of the worst losses during head coach Mauricio Pochettino‘s tenure.
Prior to this match, the USA had been unbeaten in its last five home fixtures, while Belgium was on a nine-game unbeaten streak. The attendance for the match was reported at 66,867, showcasing the interest in this international friendly.
Additionally, this match was notable for being the first time the USMNT experienced FIFA’s new, mandatory cooling breaks, which will be implemented in every match during the upcoming World Cup.
Looking ahead, the USA will continue their World Cup preparations with a match against Portugal on March 31, 2026. The outcome of this friendly against Belgium serves as a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead for the US team as they aim to improve their performance on the world stage.
