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Belgium's Hans Vanaken (20) celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Nick Didlick)

The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada

Jul 6, 2026 | 7:31 AM

The latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada. All times are Eastern:

9:59 p.m.

Romelu Lukaku scores three minutes into second-half stoppage time to give Belgium a 4-1 lead. The clock runs out and Belgium books a quarterfinal date with Spain on Friday.

9:55 p.m.

Four minutes of second-half stoppage time added. The United States is being outshot 14-6 (6-2) on target and having all kinds of problems trying to generate offence.

9:45 p.m.

Ten minutes left in the second half in Seattle, with Belgium leading 3-1. If the U.S. loses, all three co-host countries will be eliminated from the tournament.

9:22 p.m.

Hans Vanaken pounces on an American error to give Belgium a 3-1 lead in the 57th minute at Seattle Stadium.

9:14 p.m.

And the second half is underway in Seattle. The winner advances to the quarterfinals to play Spain on Friday, while the loser becomes a World Cup spectator.

8:52 p.m.

Belgium, with two goals from Charles De Ketelaere, leads the United States 2-1 at halftime in Seattle. Belgium is outshooting the Americans 11-2, and 5-1 on target. Belgium has had possession for 53 per cent of the half and leads in corners (3-1).

8:32 p.m.

Malik Tillman scores for the United States 31 minutes into the first half to tie the game at 1-1, but Belgium reclaims the lead less than two minutes later with De Ketelaere’s second goal of the half.

8:10 p.m.

Charles De Ketelaere gives Belgium a 1-0 lead nine minutes into tonight’s match at Seattle Stadium, otherwise known as Lumen Field, home of the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.

8:01 p.m.

The countdown is done and the Round of 16 match between Belgium and the co-host United States is underway. And Florarin Balogun, who had his red card overturned by FIFA, is in the Americans’ starting lineup.

5 p.m.

Spain is through to the World Cup quarterfinals after Mikel Merino scored in second-half stoppage time to give his side a 1-0 win over Portugal. The loss ends Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career, while Spain will face either the United States or Belgium on Friday in Los Angeles.

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3:58 p.m.

At halftime in Dallas, Portugal and Spain are scoreless in their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match. Spain had 55 per cent possession and outshot Portugal 8-5 in the opening half, including 3-2 in shots on target.

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3:15 p.m.

The round-of-16 match between soccer powers Spain and Portugal is underway at Dallas Stadium. The winner moves on to face either the U.S. or Belgium in the World Cup quarterfinals on Friday in L.A.

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1 p.m.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino acknowledged speaking with U.S. President Donald Trump before the governing body’s disciplinary committee cleared American forward Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium despite a red card that would normally trigger a one-game suspension. FIFA’s appeal committee rejected Belgium’s challenge, ruling the Belgian federation could not appeal because the disciplinary case involved only FIFA and the U.S. player, leaving Belgium without the right under FIFA rules to contest the decision.

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12:15 p.m.

Canada’s World Cup run ended with a 3-0 loss to Morocco in Saturday’s round-of-16 match in Houston, but there’s still one more tournament game to be played on Canadian soil. Colombia meets Switzerland on Tuesday at BC Place in Vancouver, marking the Swiss team’s third straight match at the venue. Switzerland beat Canada 2-1 there in Group B play, then defeated Algeria 2-0 in the round of 32. Colombia advanced with a 1-0 win over Ghana on Friday in Kansas City.

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12 p.m.

U.S. President Donald Trump says he asked FIFA to review Folarin Balogun’s red card but did not push for a specific outcome. Trump called the decision “horrible” and said he only requested a review after learning the U.S. forward faced an automatic one-game suspension. FIFA later lifted the ban, clearing Balogun to face Belgium in today’s round-of-16 match.

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10:30 a.m.

FIFA is under fire after allowing U.S. forward Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium despite receiving a red card in his previous match. The decision came after U.S. President Donald Trump urged FIFA president Gianni Infantino to overturn the suspension. Belgium has appealed the ruling, while UEFA called it “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.”

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10:30 a.m.

Today’s FIFA World Cup action features the final two round-of-16 matches. Portugal faces Spain at 3 p.m. in Arlington, Texas, before the United States takes on Belgium at 8 p.m. in Seattle with a berth in the quarterfinals at stake. U.S. striker Folarin Balogun is available after FIFA lifted his one-game suspension following a red card in the group stage.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 6, 2026.

The Canadian Press