Why is Romelu Lukaku benched for USA vs Belgium FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 clash?
Romelu Lukaku is the leading goalscorer for the Red Devils.
The Belgium national football team will now be back in action. They are set to take on the United States men’s national soccer team for their round of 16 fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Seattle Stadium is going to witness this clash.
The Rudi Garcia-led side is unbeaten in the flagship tournament this year and will be looking to continue with their positive run of form. They will be eager to establish control of the game from the start of the game. But many of their top stars have been bunched, and will the decision be fruitful or questionable?
The USMNT also have some quality players in their squad, but this time around they will have to do a lot more than before. Being at home will be one of the advantages for Mauricio Pochettino’s men. They must capitalise on the situation and will surely help them take down the Belgian Red Devils.
Why is Lukaku benched against the USA?
Romelu Lukaku is once again going to start on the bench for the Belgium national football team. The 33-year-old has been quite impactful in the FIFA World Cup 2026 as a substitute. Rudi Garcia looks to implement similar tactics for the USA vs Belgium round of 16 game.
Charles De Ketelaere is going to start as the sole striker up front. Dodi Lukébakio and Leandro Trossard will be on the flanks. Nicolas Raskin is starting instead of Kevin De Bruyne in the attacking midfield position.
Youri Tielemans will don the captain’s armband for the Belgian Red Devils, and Amadou Onana is going to accompany him in the defensive midfield. Timothy Castagne, Brandon Mechele, Nathan Ngoy and Maxim De Cuyper are going to form a strong backline.
Between the sticks, it is going to be the very reliable Thibaut Courtois. A win for Belgium will take them to the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals, where they will face Spain.
Who can Belgium face in FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals?
If qualified, they will face Spain.
Where and how to watch live stream of FIFA World Cup 2026 in India?
The Zee5 app and website can be used to view all the fixtures live.
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Dilpreet is a dedicated football writer with a keen eye for World Football. As a proud Real Madrid fan, we believe his work reflects the same ambition and precision. Since joining Khel Now in 2025, he has crafted stories beyond scores, diving into tactics, culture, and emotion. With a strong background in content writing, he blends clarity with creativity, always aiming to bring the beautiful game closer to readers.