USMNT Prepares for Challenging World Cup Clash Against Belgium

The United States men’s national team is on the verge of making it to a World Cup quarterfinal for the first time since 2002. Their formidable opponent in the Round of 16 is Belgium, the team standing in their way at the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.

Belgium has a track record of defeating the USMNT. In the 2014 World Cup, they beat the U.S. 2-1 in the Round of 16. More recently, Belgium won decisively against the U.S. with a 5-2 victory in an international friendly this March. Despite this, USMNT defender Alex Freeman acknowledges their strength but remains unshaken.

“We know the quality they have,” said Freeman, 21, in an interview with Roger Bennett for “Men in Blazers.” “They’re a very quality team. They’ve been known for years. For us, it’s how we can stay to ourselves and know that we still want to play the way we want to play. Still be able to press a lot, control the ball a little bit, be able to be direct.”

Freeman, who was young during the 2014 encounter, notes that some teammates might remember that match. However, he emphasizes that the team prefers not to dwell on past defeats.

“I think we just don’t feel like we want to bring it up, knowing that this is the game that we want a whole different impact on, a whole different result. At the end of the day, I think we want revenge, not only for 2014, but for a couple of months ago when we lost to them. So, for us, it’s how can we get that revenge, and how can we go and get a win?” Freeman added.

The clash between Belgium and the USMNT is scheduled to take place in Seattle on Monday, July 6. Freeman’s full “Men in Blazers” appearance can be watched below.