The USA will take on Belgium in an international friendly on Saturday, 28 March, as both nations continue their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
As the co-hosts, the USA have been playing friendlies in preparation for the tournament for the best part of three years, but this week, they are taking a step up with fixtures against two of the best international sides in Europe.
As for Belgium, for the first time in more than a decade, they are preparing for the World Cup under the radar. Could that benefit them this summer?
Before taking a look at the rest of today's betting tips, check out our USA vs Belgium prediction below.
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USA vs Belgium key stats
- The USA have won four of their last five matches on US soil.
- Belgium have failed to win eight of their last 10 away matches.
- More than two goals have been scored in each of the USA's last three matches.
USA vs Belgium preview: Hosts to build on their momentum
| USA | vs | Belgium |
|---|---|---|
| 15th | FIFA ranking | 9th |
| Christian Pulisic (82) | Most caps | Axel Witsel (134) |
| Christian Pulisic (32) | Most goals | Kevin de Bruyne (36) |
| 826 | Total caps | 740 |
| 113 | Total goals | 97 |
| 1 | Uncapped players | 5 |
When Mauricio Pochettino agreed to manage the USA soccer team, it was specifically with the World Cup in mind, and as his side gears up for their home tournament, they are in better form than ever before.
Pochettino has managed to get his squad playing something close to the style of football he has been associated with since his Tottenham Hotspur days, and although the game on Saturday is listed as a friendly, the USA will be treating it like a competitive fixture.
Goals have been the order of the day for the Stars and Stripes in recent fixtures, and they thumped Uruguay 5-1 in their most recent outing back in November. If they can follow that up with a similar display here, then excitement levels about what is possible this summer are only going to grow.
Folarin Balogun has eight goal contributions in his last seven appearances for Monaco.
The match perhaps takes on some extra significance for the USA, as they haven't beaten a European nation since 2021. Naturally, this will have to change if they are to go deep in the World Cup.
For Saturday's clash, Pochettino is missing Tyler Adams, Sergino Dest, Haji Wright and Roman Celentano due to injury problems.
Belgium are perhaps likelier to treat this match as an authentic friendly, which could mean experimentation for Rudi Garcia ahead of the World Cup.
The USA are searching for their first win over Belgium since 1930.
Garcia has performed well as Belgium boss, but this isn't the first time that the Red Devils have enjoyed a stellar qualifying campaign, so nobody in the Belgian camp should be getting carried away.
Winning away from home comforts has been an issue for Belgium in recent times, with victories in Wales and Liechtenstein their only two in the last two-and-a-half years. What better way to prepare for a World Cup stateside than to taste victory in the USA three months before the tournament begins?
Garcia will be without the nation's record goalscorer for this one, as Romelu Lukaku has withdrawn from the squad with a hamstring injury. Other notable absentees include Thibaut Courtois and Leandro Trossard.
USA vs Belgium form guide & betting tips
| USA | vs | Belgium |
|---|---|---|
| W-D-W-W-W | Form | W-D-W-D-W |
| 12 | Goals For | 18 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 3 |
| N/A (hosts) | World Cup qualifying form | W-D-W |
Whispers predicts: USA 2-1 Belgium
It is often hard to build momentum in international football, but if any nation has it at present, then it's the USA, who come into this on the back of three wins on the bounce. A USA win has been priced at 15/8 by Bet365.
More likely to happen, regardless of momentum, is over 2.5 goals to be scored at 3/4. A total of 15 goals have been scored across Belgium's last three matches.
After scoring five goals in his last six appearances at club level, Folarin Balogun could be worth a look in the goalscoring stakes. Balogun is priced at 5/2 to score anytime.
> Anytime goalscorer - Folarin Balogun at 5/2 | Likelihood: Possible
> Result - USA to win at 15/8 | Likelihood: Possible
> Total goals - Over 2.5 at 3/4 | Likelihood: Probable