USA vs Belgium: prediction, head-to-head, and probable line-ups – 28 March 2026
One of Saturday’s friendlies will take place in Atlanta at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, where the USA national team will host Belgium. I’m leaning towards a bet on goals in this clash, with good chances for success.
Match preview
The US team comes into this friendly with the sense that the squad has finally found a clear direction. Under Mauricio Pochettino, the Americans have matured in controlling the tempo, and most importantly, have stopped being afraid to take the initiative even against top-class opponents. They entered and finished 2025 on a five-match unbeaten streak, and in their last outing, they thrashed Uruguay 5-1.
The hosts’ squad depth is also worth highlighting. Yes, there are some absences, but for the first time in a while the USA boasts rare depth in their attack and midfield: Pulisic, Weah, Balogun, McKennie, Morris – a group not just capable of matching a high tempo, but of dictating it. Balogun’s form is particularly intriguing, having scored in each of his last four games for Monaco, while Pulisic’s return adds extra sharpness between the lines.
Belgium arrive for this match in their usual guise: a team that rarely falters over the long haul but almost always leaves you with the feeling they’ve got more in reserve. Under Rudi Garcia, the Red Devils have become less chaotic, their football a little less romantic and far more pragmatic. After a painful 0-2 loss to Ukraine, Belgium hit back immediately with a 3-0 win, and overall have just one defeat in their last ten games, riding a nine-match unbeaten run.
That said, Belgium are still in a phase of targeted rebuilding. The returns of De Bruyne and Lukaku restore elite status to their attack, but the absence of Courtois still changes the defensive structure and affects the backline’s confidence. On the other hand, Belgium have scored at least three goals in six matches and kept five clean sheets, so their balance remains impressively solid.
Probable line-ups
- USA: Freese, Trusty, McKenzie, Robinson, Weah, Berhalter, Morris, Freeman, Pulisic, McKennie, Balogun.
- Belgium: Sels, Meunier, Theate, Debast, De Keyper, Raskin, Onana, Doku, De Bruyne, De Ketelaere, Lukaku.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Belgium haven’t lost to the USA since 1930 and, after losing their very first encounter, have put together a five-match winning streak against the Americans with a combined score of 10-3.
- USA have won four of their last five home matches, drawing the other, scoring 12 goals during that stretch, and in their most recent game thrashed Uruguay 5-1.
- Belgium enter this contest unbeaten in nine matches, with Rudi Garcia’s side recently recording a 0-2 and 3-0 against Ukraine in the Nations League play-offs.
Prediction
This match looks like a clash between two sides currently comfortable playing attacking football, but neither wants to turn a friendly into a wild end-to-end shootout. The US will surely try to play bravely and push high up at home, especially with Pulisic and Balogun in good form, but Belgium are far too experienced to surrender control entirely. Expect goals at both ends and long stretches where the initiative shifts from one team to the other.
