U.S. Men's National Team Routed by Belgium in World Cup Prep Match

5-2 loss in Atlanta raises concerns ahead of upcoming World Cup tournament

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:34pm

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The U.S. men's national soccer team suffered a lopsided 5-2 defeat against Belgium in an international friendly match in Atlanta on Saturday. The loss comes just months before the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host with Canada and Mexico.

Why it matters

The one-sided result against a top European opponent raises questions about the U.S. team's readiness and ability to compete at the highest level of international soccer. As the host nation, expectations are high for the U.S. to perform well in the World Cup, making this loss a concerning setback in their preparations.

The details

The U.S. had taken an early 1-0 lead through a goal by Weston McKennie, but Belgium stormed back with four unanswered goals to take control of the match. Zeno Debast, Amadou Onana, Charles De Ketelaere, and Dodi Lukebakio all scored for the visitors, exposing defensive vulnerabilities in the American lineup.

  • The match took place on Saturday, March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
  • The U.S. opens World Cup play on June 12, 2026 against Paraguay.
  • The U.S. will play its final pre-World Cup tune-up on June 6, 2026 against Germany in Chicago.

The players

Weston McKennie

Midfielder for the U.S. men's national team who scored the opening goal for the Americans.

Antonee Robinson

Defender for the U.S. men's national team who made his first appearance since November 2024 after recovering from injuries.

Zeno Debast

Belgian defender who scored the equalizing goal for his team.

Amadou Onana

Belgian midfielder who gave his team the lead with a goal in the second half.

Mauricio Pochettino

Head coach of the U.S. men's national team who is evaluating his roster ahead of the World Cup.

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What they’re saying

“This loss is certainly a setback, but we still have time to address the issues and get the team ready for the World Cup. The match against Portugal on Tuesday will be crucial for our evaluation process.”

— Mauricio Pochettino, Head Coach, U.S. Men's National Team

What’s next

The U.S. will play its final pre-World Cup tune-up on June 6, 2026 against Germany in Chicago, which will be their last chance to fine-tune the team before the roster is announced on May 26.

The takeaway

The lopsided loss to Belgium highlights the significant work the U.S. men's national team still has to do to be competitive on the world stage. As the host nation, the pressure is on the Americans to perform well in the 2026 World Cup, and this defeat raises concerns about their readiness to meet those high expectations.