U.S. Men’s Soccer Team Falls to Belgium in World Cup Round of 16, Sparking Criticism from Former Player Stu Holden

The U.S. men’s national soccer team suffered a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16, marking another early exit for the squad and drawing sharp criticism from former player Stu Holden. The loss, which ended the Americans’ campaign, highlighted persistent challenges in performing under pressure on the global stage.

What Led to the U.S. Team’s Disappointing Performance?

Despite winning three of its four group-stage matches—the most in a single World Cup for the U.S.—the team faltered against Belgium, a ninth-ranked side in the final FIFA rankings. Holden, a former U.S. international and FOX Sports analyst, described the defeat as “a familiar feeling,” emphasizing that the team’s struggles in high-stakes moments have persisted. “We get wrapped up in the moment,” he said on FOX Sports’ “World Cup Now.” “We become big fans of this team, the way they played, their personalities, their stories.

The U.S. allowed three goals in its own defensive third, with goalkeeper Matt Freese failing to clear a critical pass that led to Belgium’s second goal. Holden pointed to the team’s “tentativeness” as a key factor. “The moment was too big for a lot of these players,” he said. “They didn’t look like themselves tonight.”

How Did Christian Pulisic Fare in the Match?

Star midfielder Christian Pulisic, the U.S.’s most prominent player, struggled against Belgium. He recorded only two successful dribbles out of six and won 25% of his ground duels, according to statistical analysis. Pulisic was substituted in the 59th minute after a hard tackle, with Holden criticizing his “really tough night.”

“Even from the first minute of the game, Pulisic’s first five touches, three of them were turnovers,” Holden said. “I thought this was going to be a big game for him, and