Former U.S. women’s national team member and Major League Soccer match analyst Kacey White discussed the United States’ run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Team USA’s World Cup dreams came to an end Wednesday night as they fell 4-1 to Belgium in the Round of 16. Belgium took their first lead off a goal from Charles De Ketelaere just nine minutes into the game, and a goal from Romelu Lukaku in the 93rd minute sealed it.
“One of the biggest challenges of [playing Belgium is] individual players that can win games for the opposing team,” White said. “You have someone like Lukaku, who’s a player that can win you a game. [Jeremy] Doku [too], these players could have a bad performance, and in one [key] moment they know how to step up.”
Team USA was unable to keep up with Belgium as they made important mistakes and struggled defensively. When Midfielder Malik Tillman tied the game 1-1 on a free kick in the 31st minute, it took less than two minutes for Belgium to take back the lead on De Ketelaere’s second goal of the match.
The biggest story leading up to the game was Sunday’s reversal of a red card given to Team USA star Folarin Balogun during the Round of 32 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina. Had the red card been upheld, Balogun would have been ineligible for the game.
“Most people will agree it should have never been a red card in the first place,” White said. “Because of Balogun being so close to the defender, there wasn’t the ability to generate speed and force for serious foul play, so I think the consensus is that the decision was wrong… [but] the reality is it feels a little strange a couple of days after the game and this close to the next game.”
Despite the disappointing finish, this was one of the most exciting and optimism-inducing World Cup teams the United States had seen. Their success broke viewership and ratings records nationwide and attracted new fans.
“The biggest moment was the first game against Paraguay,” White said. “I say that because of the momentum it generated in the team, the confidence it instilled not only in them but also the American public who were watching this team, investing in this team. I think that is a big part of growing the game in this country, that belief was sent through the nation.”
White hopes that fans who gained interest in soccer during the World Cup maintain their interest and turn their attention to domestic leagues such as Major League Soccer or the National Women’s Soccer League.
“It’s about retaining fans after the World Cup is done, regaining those fans that we gained during that time,” White said. “We have some of the best in the world competing right here in your backyard. These casual fans that are coming into the game, it’s about picking a team… it’s that visibility piece of knowing that games are accessible more than [just during the World Cup].”
White reflected on the significance of this tournament and what it has meant for the United States to host the World Cup and welcome those of all different backgrounds.
“I find it incredibly heartwarming what we’ve seen here in the United States with all these different cultures,” White said. “I love that we’re having the culture of other countries come into the United States and really show us how powerful sport can be, it can really bring people together.”
