World Cup Round of 16 Highlights: USMNT Faces Belgium, Portugal Battles Spain

Portugal and Spain Renew Rivalry in World Cup Round of 16

On Monday, July 6, the World Cup will feature a high-stakes match between Portugal and Spain at 3 p.m. ET in Dallas, broadcast on Fox. This marks their 42nd meeting overall but only the third time they face off at a World Cup. Last summer, these two met in the UEFA Nations League Finals where Portugal triumphed in penalties. Now, a spot in the quarterfinals is on the line.

Spain reached this stage with a commanding 3-0 win over Austria. Meanwhile, Portugal edged past Croatia 2-1 in a thrilling comeback during the Round of 32. The winner will move forward to face either the United States or Belgium in the quarterfinals set for Friday in Los Angeles.

USMNT Prepares to Challenge Belgium for Quarterfinal Spot

The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) takes on Belgium Monday at 8 p.m. ET in Seattle, also on Fox. Both teams enter with even odds (-110). The Americans seek their first World Cup quarterfinal appearance since 2002. This match feels different from their previous 5-2 loss to Belgium in a friendly last March.

An unexpected advantage came Sunday when FIFA overturned striker Folarin Balogun's one-match suspension, making the leading scorer eligible for the clash. Belgium barely scraped past Senegal thanks to a late rally in the Round of 32. Their recent World Cups have varied widely: group stage elimination, a third-place finish, and a quarterfinal run.

What’s Next?

• Winner of Portugal vs. Spain faces the US or Belgium on Friday
• USMNT aims to break a 24-year quarterfinal drought
• Fans can watch both matches live on Fox

The 2026 World Cup continues to deliver intense drama. We think these matches could go either way and are worth watching closely.