The U.S. men’s national soccer team’s dream at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has come to an end. Belgium defeated one of the tournament’s co-hosts 4-1, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring a brace in the ninth and 33rd minutes, Hans Vanaken adding another in the 57th minute, and Romelu Lukaku sealing the victory with a stoppage-time goal in the 93rd minute.
Malik Tillman gave the United States a glimmer of hope with his goal in the 31st minute, but it ultimately was not enough.
Belgium controlled the match and outperformed the United States in key statistics, finishing with 15 shots to the USA’s 6, and recording 7 shots on target to the Americans’ 2.
USMNT: Best Hosts, Biggest Letdown
The USMNT might be the biggest disappointment among the three 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosts, and for one specific reason.
If they were to face Canada, they would probably win. If they were to face Mexico, they would probably win as well.
The difference is that expectations for Mexico before the World Cup were relatively modest, if not outright low. The same was generally true for Canada.
The situation was different for the United States.
Objectively speaking, the USA has a more talented squad than the other two host nations. On top of that, many viewed the USMNT as the favorite heading into its match against Belgium because of its amazing performance in its first four matches.
That is precisely why the team ended up being the biggest disappointment. Its game fell well below the level expected from a squad with this much individual talent.
Youthful USA Outlasted by Veteran-Led Belgium
The last time Belgium faced the United States at a FIFA World Cup was in 2014, 12 years ago.
At the time, the USA still had Clint Dempsey as one of its star players, while Belgium already featured Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Axel Witsel.
Twelve years later, not much seems to have changed, despite the United States arguably having one of the most talented generations in its soccer history.
Since the emergence of players such as Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Antonee Robinson, Sergiño Dest, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and many others, there has been a growing sense that the USMNT is simply missing the right head coach to build chemistry among the squad and maximize the talent these players clearly possess, something they consistently demonstrate at the club level.
Gregg Berhalter failed in that mission, although there were still flashes of the team’s potential.
Mauricio Pochettino also appears not to have been the solution. In fact, looking strictly at his managerial career outside of the United States, he has accomplished very little since leaving Tottenham Hotspur.
He was unable to build a dominant team at Paris Saint-Germain despite having a squad full of stars, failed to do so at Chelsea, and ultimately fell well short in what many believed would be the breakthrough World Cup for the United States to establish itself as a genuine elite soccer nation.
Considering the youth, dynamism, and overall talent within the United States squad, the national team might be better served by a head coach who excels at building connections and chemistry among players while also adapting the team to different tactical scenarios based on the opponent.
In simple terms, if the USMNT is built around a young, dynamic and exciting group of players, perhaps it also needs a coach with an equally dynamic and progressive approach. But of course, after what we saw in their first games, one might also think that Pochettino just needs more time. We’ll see.
