WORLD CUP DAILY, July 7: Belgium advances, U.S.A. eliminated<\/p>\n
Published 7:00 am Tuesday, July 7, 2026<\/p>\n
Daily FIFA World Cup soccer match updates and news for Black Press Media publications.<\/p>\n
All three host nations of the 2026 World Cup have been eliminated in the round of 16. Canada was eliminated July 4, Mexico on July 5th and the United States on July 6.<\/p>\n
The United States were outplayed by Belgium and was defeated 4-1 on Monday (July 6) in Seattle, WA.<\/p>\n
Portugal was also eliminated after losing to Spain 1-0 earlier on Monday. Portuguese soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed after the match that this was his last World Cup.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine, sad to leave the World Cup this way. But, as I said yesterday in the press conference, I gave my best and I leave with a clear conscience,\u201d he told SportTV after the game. \u201cThat\u2019s the life of a football player. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose and we need to keep going. The truth is that it was my last World Cup, and now I will have time with my family so as not to make decisions in the heat of the moment.<\/p>\n
The final two Round of 16 matches take place today (July 7), with Argentina taking on Egypt at 9 a.m. in Atlanta, followed by Switzerland taking on Colombia at 1 p.m. at BC Place in Vancouver.<\/p>\n
In response to FIFA allowing USA\u2019s Folarin Balogun to play on Monday against Belgium, FIFA president Gianni Infantino issued a statement on X <\/a>that \u201cFIFA\u2019s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected.\u201d<\/p>\n He confirmed he did get a call from U.S. President Donald Trump about the suspension.<\/p>\n \u201cDuring our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA\u2019s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA\u2019s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n DID YOU KNOW?<\/p>\n \u201cLionel Messi has scored in a record eight successive fixtures at the FIFA World Cup. France\u2019s Just Fontaine (1958) and Brazil\u2019s Jairzinho (1970) are his closest competitors in that department, having scored in six consecutive matches at the finals,\u201d according to FIFA data.<\/p>\n ROUND OF 16 SCHEDULE:<\/p>\n Tuesday, July 7:<\/p>\n Argentina vs. Egypt in Atlanta, 9 a.m.<\/p>\n Switzerland vs. Colombia in Vancouver, 1 p.m.<\/p>\n No matches Wednesday, July 8<\/p>\n QUARTER-FINALS<\/p>\n Thursday, July 9:<\/p>\n Morocco vs. winner of FRA vs PAR at 1 p.m. in Boston<\/p>\n Friday, July 10:<\/p>\n Spain vs. Belgium at 12 p.m. in Los Angeles<\/p>\n Saturday, July 11<\/p>\n Norway vs. England at 5 p.m. in Miami<\/p>\n Winner of ARG vs EGY match vs. winner of SUI vs. COL match at 8 p.m. in Kansas City<\/p>\n ===========<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/p>\n 17K hotdogs consumed: Vancouver by the numbers as FIFA World Cup hits halfway mark<\/a><\/p>\n World Cup numbers: 39-day FIFA soccer tournament started June 11 in Mexico<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2026 FIFA World Cup: An in-depth look at Canada\u2019s midfielders and forwards<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2026 FIFA World Cup: An in-depth look into Canada\u2019s goalkeepers and defence<\/a>.<\/p>\n TROZZO: What a doctor on Canada\u2019s bench in \u201986 bench taught me about the World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n PHOTOS: B.C.\u2019s Science World fully transforms into FIFA World Cup match ball<\/a>.<\/p>\n