US men's soccer team knocked out by Belgium in World Cup round of 16

The United States men’s national soccer team was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after a 4‑1 defeat to Belgium in Seattle, ending their tournament in the round of 16. The match drew a record U.S. television audience, with more than 36.8 million viewers tuning in, the highest viewership ever for a soccer broadcast in the country.

Former U.S. women’s star Megan Rapinoe blamed the loss on off‑field distractions, saying “the distraction got to the team” after President Donald Trump intervened with FIFA to overturn a red‑card suspension for forward Folarin Balogun. Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III also commented on social media, claiming the United States lost because “we weren’t a united front as fans.”

Players and staff gathered to pray after the match, with midfielder Mark McKenzie leading the moment, while forward Christian Pulisic highlighted the progress of U.S. soccer despite the defeat. Citadel founder Ken Griffin, whose philanthropic contributions helped fund the hiring of coach Mauricio Pochettino, praised the tournament’s impact and vowed to build on the momentum for future campaigns.