We have two marquee matchups on Monday at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Portugal and Spain is an Iberian rivalry in the round of 16, while the United States looks to reach a World Cup quarterfinal for the first time since the 2002 World Cup, to do that, they need to defeat Belgium. We offer previews and predictions for every matchup on Monday.
Portugal vs Spain (Monday July 6th in Dallas)
Two of the most talented teams in European football will face off in Dallas on Monday. While Portugal have scraped their way into the last 16, edging Croatia in a thriller 2-1, Spain had their best game of the tournament when they comprehensively defeated a lackluster Austria 3-0 in the last 32. While Spain is on the upswing, concerns about Roberto Martinez’s Portugal continue to center around Ronaldo, who was finally substituted late against Croatia for Goncalo Ramos. With Ramos, Portugal had improved balance, while Diogo Costa continues to be their player of the tournament in goal. Portugal will need to try to establish better midfield control here than they have managed all tournament.
Spain are liking the play of striker Mikel Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo’s command of the midfield. Having players like Pau Cubarsi in the backline has given them plenty of defensive structure and confidence. Portugal’s inconsistency is a real problem, and Spain has been better since they drew with a Cape Verde side that turned out to be excellent. Spain should stake a claim as potential tournament winners with a strong result here.
Prediction: Spain 3-1
United States vs Belgium (Monday July 6th in Seattle)
The United States lost a heartbreaker to Belgium in 2014 at the World Cup in Brazil, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelo Lukaku, and Thibaut Courtois are still in this Belgium side. Rudi Garcia has struggled to get Belgium to click all tournament, but taking off De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku surprisingly spurred a comeback result against Senegal, as Belgium won 3-2 in extra time, from a 2-0 deficit at the half. Romelo Lukaku was also a key second half substitute and scored.
For the USMNT there’s one key forced change, Folarin Balogun, their top scoring striker, was red carded against Bosnia. Though it was a routine win for the Stars and Stripes, Balogun is expected to be replaced by Ricardo Pepi who has big boots to fill. Given that Belgium defeated the United States 5-2 in a friendly in March, the energy and positive momentum around Team USA right now may not be enough to make them clear favorites. The US MNT can compete here, but this game could well go to penalties, this is the best quality opponent the US has faced, and losing Balogun is probably worth at least 1 goal less than would be expected.
Still, this Belgium side is old and has had long stretches of poor play, that should be enough for the United States to take advantage, especially as Belgium have not scored consistently.
Prediction: United States 2-1
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
