2026 World Cup: Belgium, Senegal to play in Seattle’s round of 32 match

Next up in Seattle for the FIFA Men’s World Cup: The Red Devils against The Lions of Teranga.

Belgium will face Senegal in a round of 32 match at Seattle Stadium next Wednesday, the fifth of six matches in the city.

Belgium, which has its base camp at the Sounders training center in Renton, earned the chance to stay put in the Puget Sound region by winning Group G thanks to its victory over New Zealand on Friday night, combined with Egypt and Iran playing to a 1-1 draw.

Senegal’s path to the round of 32 was a little more arduous and wasn’t decided until Saturday night. Senegal finished third in the “Group of Death,” losing to France and Norway, but a 5-0 win over Iraq in the final group stage match gave Senegal the chance of advancing thanks to finishing plus-2 on goal differential.

For much of the day, it appeared Senegal would be headed elsewhere in the bracket as part of the complicated formula used for placing third-place teams into the bracket. But DR Congo’s victory over Uzbekistan knocked South Korea from the tournament and placed Senegal in Seattle.

It will be the first time Belgium and Senegal have played in the World Cup.