USMNT and Belgium Battle for a QF Place | Day 26 Preview | Morning Cupdate, Presented by The Home Depot

0:00Quick word for our dear friends at Christopher Ward, the official watch partner of Men in Blazers. Now, many of you know Men in Blazers and Christopher Ward first came together through football. But what I genuinely love about Christopher Ward is what they're becoming here in America. They've expanded across the U.S.'s showrooms now in New York City, Chicago, Northern Virginia, Dallas and more. They're building something really rare, real connection. They're not just selling watches, trying to foster community. Places where people can gather to obsess over craftsmanship, design, engineering, and the stories we carry through time.

0:34I love these watches. They're precision built, thoughtfully designed, proper mechanical craftsmanship. They're luxury watches at a real value price, and they somehow still feel deeply human and accessible. So whether you're already a watch obsessive or you're just curious, go and have a look. Visit a showroom or visit the website. If not, try one on, have a conversation. Christopher Ward, they're building something really special here in the United States. We're incredibly proud to have them alongside us in this community. Now, back to the football. Hello and welcome to Atlanta. Welcome to another Morning Cup day and another day of fantastic football to feast your eyes on.

1:10How lucky are we after last night's incredible match? Two more teams today, though, will be booking their places in those quarterfinals. Will one of them be USA? Mauricio Pochettino's side have a huge day coming up. This is everything that you need to know ahead of Day 26 of the World Cup.

1:32Hello and welcome to Morning Cup Day, built by the Home Depot. We're live from Atlanta on our podcast bus that is travelling to seven different US cities. It is hot and it smells a little bit now we're this far into the tournament. Celebrate match day with a winning assist from the Home Depot. Fast free delivery lets you focus on your team, not your to-do list, subject to availability. The Home Depot wishes the USMNT good luck ahead of today's match. This one is being billed as one of the biggest games in US men's soccer history. A rounder 16 clash against Belgium in Seattle, 5pm Pacific, 8pm Eastern.

2:07The build-up has been supplemented with some very dramatic news yesterday. Oh yes, there has been a huge announcement with regards to one of the USMNT's most important players. You guys, Flo is back tomorrow. FIFA have announced just now that the USA's following Balogun is available to play. Flo Balogun will be available to play the USMNT's round of 16 game against Belgium after his one-game red card ban was suspended. FIFA confirmed that on Sunday afternoon. Now, it is important to clarify, the red card hasn't been rescinded, it has just been suspended for a year. No reasoning behind the move was provided beyond citing a rule which allows punishments to be suspended.

2:48Now, remarkably, it later was revealed that the White House made a direct call to FIFA to ask Gianni Infantino to review Flo Balogun's red card. Donald Trump posted on Truth Social to say thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice. This revolution has some fans and journalists from the global press asking, What? What? What? What? What? It has come under huge amounts of criticism from journalists. and as you can imagine, the Belgium FA said they're astonished by the decision. Meanwhile, Belgium coach Rudy Garcia said, I don't know the game was being played on April Fool's Day.

3:26This is only the second time that this has happened in tournament history. The last time was for Brazilian midfielder Garincha 64 years ago. Here's Roger's reaction on the nightclub. We played so well, the football of our ecstasy, and now from now on, this whole World Cup, even the achievements, the Paraguay win, the Australia win, The incredible performance against Bosnia with 10 men. You know, the ecstasy of the free kick, all of it is tarnished with this brush. Away from the Balogun decision, the USA will be feeling confident. They've blown away Paraguay, Australia and Bosnia. Their system under Poch doesn't give opponents a minute's piece.

4:02Here's Alex Freeman explaining to Rog how all the team have bought into the manager's style. I think Poch's print has been engraved with us now. And I think for us, also the confidence energy we want to bring to the game too. just be able to kind of be aggressive first, be the aggressors. You know, I think for us, you know, he, Pochettino talks about being a protagonist, right? I think for us, that's what we want to do. You know, we want to be able to be the main people to be able to go and make an impact. But USMNT fans of a certain age will hear this match and shudder in fear. In 2014, the Belgians knocked out the US at this very stage of the competition.

4:33One man who was on the pitch that day was Clint Dempsey, but he told Roger Rory that he fully believes in this team to go one better than he and his teammates did 12 years ago. I just think go out there and be who you are and believe in yourself. And I think that we do have the quality and we do have the ability and belief that we can go win that game and we will have the home field advantage. You better believe in Seattle. They're going to show up and show out. Remarkably, actually, three players who played that evening in 2014 will likely be on the pitch again tonight. Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Romelu Lukaku who are still hugely important to this Belgium team.

5:10But that's sort of the problem. I think the Belgians are pretty old, pretty slow, respectfully. Yeah, yeah, they may be an aging team, but there is still some great talent on the pitch. And let's not forget that friendly in March where they beat the USA 5-2. They are particularly strong on each wing. Let's dive a little bit deeper into that.

5:33Today's drill down brought to you by Makita is all about how containing Belgium's pacey wingers could be the key to the US progressing to that quarterfinal in LA on Friday night. Whilst there are undoubtedly a few weak spots in this Belgium squad, they are blessed with two of the Premier League's top wingers on either side. Jeremy Doku of Manchester City on the left and Leandro Trossard of Arsenal on the right. We'll start with the man who won a title with Arsenal last season. And one fact that you might not know is that he is joint-topped with Egypt's Mo Salah for chances created in this tournament.

6:05Leandro's ability to use both feet and create chances in tight pockets of space will mean that Anthony Robinson is going to have his work cut out. Then there's Jeremy Doku. Where Trossard is technical and creative, Doku is explosive, direct and also intelligent. His job tonight will be to isolate either Serginio Dest or Alex Freeman. If he can do that, the USA will have a serious problem. As the US found out back in March, this is not a team that you can underestimate at all. The other match today is a biggie as well. A huge clash between Portugal and Spain in Dallas at 3pm Eastern. If anything deserves a WOU World Cup, it is this match.

6:47One which is going to pit some of the finest footballers that Europe has to offer against each other. Now, the last time these two faced each other in a competitive fixture was at the 2018 World Cup when they played out a majestic 3-3 draw that is still one of the best group stage games ever played. At this tournament, Spain have had the easier ride. They comfortably beat Austria 3-0 in the round of 32. Meanwhile, Portugal had to survive a late scare against Croatia where they were saved by the snick-o-meter in stoppage time. The winner here will take on the winner of USA's game against Belgium in the quarterfinal.

7:23Whoever makes it out of this match will surely feel like they can go all the way. Right, here we go then. Off we go to Mexico City. The referee goes to his whistle. It is one of the greatest results in England's World Cup history. After 102 minutes of intense, physical, nerve-shattering football, England finally defeated Mexico 3-2. It was an all-time classic. You couldn't take your eyes off of it. One red card, two penalties, five goals in total, played out in the cauldron that is the Mexico City Stadium. The start of the game was delayed by an hour due to thunderstorms and the Mexican fans did absolutely everything they could to increase their home advantage, creating a hostile, deafening atmosphere inside that ground.

8:12That energy transferred onto the pitch and Mexico came out absolutely flying. Jordan Pickford made a brilliant save to deny Raul Jimenez, but despite the early pressure, England managed to stun El Tri on the 38th minute Jude Bellingham with two goals in two minutes. Here's Rory speaking on the nightclub on Bellingham's influence on this side. He's not a technical playmaker in the sense of, you know, he's not Messi, he's not Iniesta, he's not going to tie the game together, Bellingham. But he's there in the big moments. And I think that is testament to the character that he is. Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.

8:52Hey, Jude. Hey, even Rob on the technical stuff at the back of the bus is getting involved. Domino! Oh, you're American, Thomas. Anyway, so I hear you ask, England in full control of that match? Not for very long. Just before halftime, Julian Quinonez slammed home a volley from a corner. A stunner of a finish. If you haven't watched it, go and seek out the highlights. It was brilliant. Things then got worse for England. After the break, Jarrell Quonset was sent off for a studs-up lunge on Jesus Galado in the 54th minute. A big momentum swing in Mexico's favour. Thomas Tuchel sacrificed Bakayosaka for John Stones in an attempt to shore up his back line.

9:32But... Hydration break.

9:39Thank you. But the pendulum then swung again. Anthony Gordon latched on to a Jordan Pickford long ball and was taken out by Mexican goalkeeper Raul Rennell. Penalty for England. Upstepped Kane, who coolly slotted it home. 3-1, here are the scenes back in London.

10:02Harry Kane then became the first player in the history of the tournament to score and concede a penalty in the same World Cup match since 1966. Where do I know that date from? It's coming home! We're never going to hear the end of it. Ten minutes after scoring, Kane kicked the underside of Brian Gutierrez's boot in the area and after a VAR check, another penalty, this time to Mexico. There was only one man who was going to take this one, Raul Jimenez, to make it 3-2. So, game on. Here were the scenes at a Mexican watch party in Austin as that one went in.

10:42Jordan Pickford punched crosses and made save after save as England defended for their lives. After 101 minutes of agony, the ref finally blew his whistle. Cue wild 4.30am celebrations up and down England.

11:03The celebrations were pretty wild in the stadium. Here is Harry Kane after the game. My place is gone. Henle just fell over there. I think it's OK. Just something to do with his arm. I'm pretty sure all the England fans are going to be sounding like that today. How funny is that interview? They're absolutely brilliant. Jordan Henderson, despite not playing a minute as well, managed to get yellow carded and sustain an injury during the celebrations. He was reportedly stretchered off and given oxygen. Perhaps the altitude finally got the better of him. After all the excitement of that Mexico-England game, it is very easy to forget that there was another huge fixture in early kick-off.

11:44Brazil took on Norway and New York, and this one resulted in a huge tournament upset. Good turn of pace by Sheldorup, who's crossing towards Haaland! He is simply unstoppable right now. The game had been a stalemate until the 79th minute when Erling Haaland, who else, sent his arch-rival Gabriel flying with a towering header to put his side ahead. Brazil had their chances and were left to rue those missed opportunities when in the 89th minute, Haaland stepped up once again with a quite frankly astonishing long-range effort. And the best bit was his reaction after he saw the replay on the big screens.

12:20Even the big Viking was surprised at his own brilliant. Let's be honest, to score seven goals for Norway in the World Cup is quite special. Harland, who always delivers on social media with his post-match reactions, now has seven goals at this World Cup. Seven, everybody. Seven. He moves level with Messi and Mbappe at the top of the golden boot leaderboard. What a race that is going to be, by the way. Neymar bagged a consolation penalty in extra time, but it was too little too late and he was left crying on the floor at full time. He's now announced his international retirement as well. A historic moment for Norway, though, their first quarterfinal.

13:00Drink that in, everybody. And whilst Haaland will deservably grab all of the headlines, we've got to mention the heroics of their keeper, Erland Neelan. He saved a Bruno penalty in the first half and stopped a one-on-one from Endrik and somehow kept out a freak deflection that looked to be slaying right into that top right corner. It was a 10 out of 10 performance from him. Let's enjoy this one more time.

13:30That row is going nowhere. In fact, they're going to be rowing all the way to the quarterfinals to face England. Meanwhile, this is Brazil's earliest exit since 1990. Can you believe it? They will no doubt be going on a bit of a soul-searching mission after that loss. And as the world arrives in the United States for the biggest spectacle in sports, we're going coast to coast, host city to host city to meet the world with the Men in Blazers Match Day Live Tour. These are free college game day style live events taking place just before kickoff at some of the biggest games of the summer where we'll be taking the stage with celebrity guests in front of thousands of fans.

14:12It's going to be amazing. Come and be with us in person or from afar on YouTube. but let's celebrate this some other way. It's meant to be celebrated. Just head to the events tab on meninblazers.com for all the details. To the football, to more together, courage.

14:30Tonight, after the biggest match for the USMNT in decades, Rog Rory and James Horncastle and special guest author John Green will be live on their nightly recap show, Night Cup, to relive it all. Hopefully with a massive smile on Rog's little face. come wind down after the final whistle with the boys right here on the Men In Blazers YouTube it is prediction time now everybody yesterday I went for a 2-1 Norway win against Brazil genius inspiring oh yeah and a win for England against Mexico so it's been a pretty good day for morning cup day so the nap now means that it is 9-8 to morning cup day come on Betty come on Betty steady on We're finally in the lead.

15:16And we're not giving it up. Well, I don't know about that. Today, I took on Rory. We've got cracker of the day tomorrow. How exciting. Let's do predictions, Rory. Okay. Let's start with the big one. Spain against Portugal. I hear you're on form at the moment, Betty. Is that right? Well, I've been away. I'm on fire. Are you on fire? Right, okay. You go first. Okay, so I'm going to go for Spain 2-1 win. Okay, that's a good prediction, to be fair. Yeah, I'm not sure that Spain have got enough cutting edge at the moment, but I think they've probably got enough quality to overcome a Portugal encumbered with Cristiano Ronaldo, who did a weird press conference today and has annoyed me.

15:53And therefore, I'm going to go for 3-1 Spain. You were saying the other day that you love Spain. You think they look great. They were really good against Austria, but I still wonder, like semi-finals, final, the cutting edge of the tournament, whether they can score enough goals. That's my one kind of query. but also Lamine's not had a signature performance yet so maybe that's what comes against Portugal. Could be coming. Okay, USA against Belgium. Interesting one. USA have got Flo Balogun back, so... So the result will be whatever the US government wants it to be, yeah. That's how that works.

16:26Donald Trump says it's going to be 3-0. We better call the White House and find out what the score is. Yeah, I think it's really... You take the politics out of it, it's really bad that it's been left this late so Belgium will have to change their whole preparation 24 hours before the game. I thought the US would win anyway without Balogun. I think Belgium aren't that great. They're quite old. I think the US have got the kind of running power to overpower them. So I'm going to say 2-0 to the US. But unfortunately now, with a slight sour note, given the Balogun controversy. You've gone 2-0. I'm going to say 3-0 to the US.

17:04Oh! Okay. Right. We'll see. The government is behind them. There we go.

17:15On today's Finishing Touch, brought to you by Bear Payne, we've got to talk about the US men's national team's secret weapon. And no, I'm not talking about FIFA who postponed Flo Balogun's suspension, but I'm talking about a rubber chicken. No, I'm not joking. This is a rubber chicken that belongs to Crystal Palace's Chris Richards. He picked it up during the post-match celebrations after Palace won the Europa Conference League in the German city of Leipzig back in May. It was thrown onto the pitch by a Palace fan and here is Chris discussing the chicken shortly after he first found it. So, who's this fella?

17:50I'm not quite sure yet. I'm taking suggestions for names, but right now it was thrown down, so I took it and it's our new spirit animal. At the time, it was unnamed. But now it's called Pax O 'Lacroix after Chris's Palace teammate Max O 'Lacroix, who is out here in North America in the France squad. What has this got to do with the USMNT? I hear you ask. Well, Chris is a superstitious man and he's kept Paxo LeCroix with him all the way through the tournament. Chris also has kept part of a blanket that he's had since birth. He's worn the same two bracelets for four years and he always does everything left foot first.

18:22And whenever Paxo hasn't been able to stay with Chris, his parents, Ken and Carrie, have kept him safe. Tickets for tonight's game in Seattle are incredibly scarce, but you can bet that Paxo LeCroix will definitely be there. That is it for Morning Cup Date today built by The Home Depot The Home Depot is your winning assist to host the ultimate watch party with fast free delivery to get your backyard match day ready subject to availability Now the stars and the stripes are marching into the round of 16 tonight and Rog and the crew will be live on stage with rapper Killer Mike Run the jewels! That's what he sings to throw a massive tailgate party for all of Atlanta As always the show is free doors open at 5pm and the show kicks off at 6 and the watch party in the same location begins with the match at 8pm.

19:10This is going to be one of the biggest match day lives yet so do come on down. You don't want to miss this moment. The link for more information is in the notes below. We will be back tomorrow but everybody enjoy a lovely day of football.