De Cuyper calls for balls as Belgium brace for USA knockout

De Cuyper: "We have to show balls" against USA

Belgium face the United States on Monday in the World Cup round of 32 in Seattle, and Maxim De Cuyper is not sugarcoating it. "I think we just have to … show balls on the pitch," he said ahead of what will be a hostile crowd (1). The winner advances to the quarter-finals.

Trossard to Beşiktaş for €20m after the tournament

Leandro Trossard will leave Arsenal for Beşiktaş once the World Cup ends. The fee is set at €20m (8). For now, though, the focus is Monday, Trossard trained outside on Saturday alongside Kevin De Bruyne and Brandon Mechele, but all three carry question marks (7).

Three key players not fully fit

De Bruyne, Trossard, and Mechele participated in Saturday's session, yet their status for Monday remains uncertain (7). The training took place behind closed doors as Rudi Garcia fine-tunes his approach (12).

Doku struggling, teammates ask fans to back him

Jeremy Doku has been battling illness and his form has dipped. Kevin De Bruyne, Axel Witsel, and Dodi Lukebakio are now publicly calling on supporters to lift him. "You have to support him," was the message (9). Doku's starting spot looks shaky.

Witsel reveals coach consults him during matches

Axel Witsel shared an unusual detail about Garcia's approach: "The coach asks me during the match what I think" (7). The 37-year-old and Lukebakio spoke to media on Saturday evening as Belgium prepared for Monday's knockout clash (10).

Belgium send fourth goalkeeper Max Anchor home

Max Anchor, the 21-year-old Canadian-born goalkeeper, has left Belgium's World Cup camp. The squad bid him farewell warmly: "We are grateful you were with us" (14) (16). He departs without having played.

Boskamp slams Senegal substitutions

Johan Boskamp did not hold back when reviewing Belgium's group-stage win over Senegal. "Strange substitutions got covered with the cloak of charity," the former Feyenoord icon said (15). Lukebakio later admitted: "Against Senegal it was not easy to come on" (12).

Adams warns USA about Belgium

US captain Tyler Adams told American media that Belgium will be "a big challenge" and his team cannot afford to underestimate them (4). The US camp trained intensively on Saturday, with Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest sharp in the rondos (6). A SportsLine expert on a 16–6 run has made his pick for the match (11).

Fan-reaktioner

Belgian fans online are leaning into a quiet confidence ahead of Monday, with many pointing to the squad's market value as proof that talent should carry them past the US. One Reddit thread ranking all 32 teams by squad value sparked debate about whether European-developed talent is being underestimated in knockout-stage predictions. Read the discussion here.