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World Cup Schedule, July 7: What will happen in the "scandal match" Belgium-USA?
The lifting of the red card ban for the Round of 16 duel against Belgium is causing a stir ahead of the match. Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium on Tuesday. World Cup Schedule:
The Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 is in full swing, but it is overshadowed by one issue.
Currently, the Folarin Balogun case is heating up emotions in the football scene; the US striker is allowed to play against Belgium on Tuesday in the Round of 32, despite a red card ban.
An overview of the schedule on July 7:
Schedule, July 7 (CEST):
02:00 AM: USA - Belgium (LIVE Ticker >>>)
Originally, the most valuable US player would have missed the Round of 16 due to a red card ban – but FIFA surprisingly lifted the ban 31 hours before the match and several days after the Round of 32. According to reports, Donald Trump also had a hand in it.
If they advance again, the USA would equal their best World Cup result since the first finals in 1930; in 2002, the US boys also reached the quarter-finals. Belgium, on the other hand, has been in the semi-finals twice (most recently in 2018).
Belgium won five of their last seven knockout matches at World Cups. If the Europeans want to extend this record, one player in particular needs to keep delivering: Leandro Trossard. The winger created the most chances from open play at this World Cup (16) – only Messi surpasses Trossard in tournament history with 17 chances in 2022.
06:00 PM: Argentina - Egypt (LIVE Ticker >>>)
In Atlanta, reigning champions Argentina face Egypt, who previously won their first ever World Cup knockout match against Australia (4-2 on penalties).
Clash of extremes: World Cup top scorer Lionel Messi (7 goals in 2026 or 20 overall) meets Hany, who set an inglorious record with two own goals at this World Cup.
Furthermore, Mohamed Salah and Messi face each other for the first time at national team level – and likely for the last. Salah had already expressed his wish to face Messi for his "Last Dance" in advance.
10:00 PM: Switzerland - Colombia (LIVE Ticker >>>)
It could be the most balanced duel in the Round of 16. The world rankings also support this: Switzerland is 15th, Colombia is eleventh.
The Colombians meet Switzerland for only the fourth time in history; they last faced each other in March 2007 (3-1 for Colombia). The last and only competitive match took place at the 1994 World Cup in the USA.
The Swiss national team has steadily improved at this World Cup: The disappointing 1-1 draw against Qatar was followed by two group stage victories against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Canada. In the Round of 16, they confidently defeated Algeria.
While Colombia has some issues converting chances, they also enter the Round of 16 undefeated, with one draw (0-0 against Portugal).
