De Cuyper Fires Back at Confident USMNT: ‘Not Done Yet’

Belgian defender Maxim De Cuyper has issued a pointed response to what he perceives as overconfidence from the United States men’s national team ahead of their blockbuster Round of 16 clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday. Speaking at a press conference on July 3-4, the Brighton & Hove Albion left-back warned that Belgium is “not done yet” and dismissed American pre-match talk, stating the US team “can talk as much as they want” but that the match will be decided on the pitch at Lumen Field in Seattle.

The Warning

“It would be too early to go out,” De Cuyper told reporters, as reported by Sporza. “For me, this tournament is certainly not a success yet, my hunger is not satisfied. The match against Senegal gave us confidence to go further. We are not done here yet.”

De Cuyper, 25, who started the tournament as a substitute but has now made three consecutive starts and been one of Belgium’s standout performers, addressed the confident rhetoric coming from the American camp directly.

“That might be good for us,” he said with a grin. “They can talk as much as they want, but it has to happen on the pitch. Hopefully we can silence them after the match. But I understand their confidence, they’re playing well in this tournament.”

The Senegal Comeback

Belgium arrives in Seattle riding the emotional high of one of the tournament’s most dramatic matches. The Red Devils came from 2-0 down against Senegal to win 3-2 in extra time on July 1, with captain Youri Tielemans scoring a 125th-minute penalty — the latest goal in FIFA World Cup history, according to Al Jazeera.

“The emotions have subsided for now,” De Cuyper reflected. “It’s something I’ve never experienced as a player. A lot came in at once. At moments like that you know you’re alive.”

A Distorted Picture

Belgium defeated the United States 5-2 in a friendly match in March, but De Cuyper cautioned against reading too much into that result, noting that several key US players were absent and that goalkeeper Senne Lammens made crucial saves to keep Belgium in the match.

“That result gave a distorted picture,” De Cuyper said. “It was certainly not as easy as the score suggested. Senne kept us upright a few times, I remember. So we should certainly not be fixated on that.”

American Confidence

US analysts and media have been broadly confident heading into the match, viewing Belgium as a diminished version of the golden generation that finished third in 2018. According to Voetbalprimeur, ESPN analyst Alejandro Moreno characterized Belgium as “not a great team” and “not explosive and insufficiently dynamic,” calling them “just the remnants” of what they once were.

Former player Shaka Bislop added: “Of all the European teams, I would choose Belgium from a USA perspective. It’s a talented but aging Belgium.”

A panel of USA TODAY experts was split but leaned slightly toward the US, with three of four picking an American victory. Nancy Armour noted: “This is not the same Belgium team that beat the USMNT in March. They have looked very beatable at this World Cup.”

The Hostile Environment

De Cuyper, however, sees the heavily pro-American crowd at Lumen Field as a potential advantage rather than a disadvantage.

“Many of our guys always play in front of so many fans,” he said. “Moreover, I think it can be a huge boost if the entire stadium is against you. If you can silence them during the match…”

Key Absence for the US

The United States will be without in-form striker Folarin Balogun, who scored three goals in the tournament but received a controversial red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 and is suspended for Monday’s match. Christian Pulisic returned from a calf injury in that match, providing a boost for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

What’s at Stake

The winner of Monday’s clash advances to the quarterfinals in Inglewood, California, on July 10, where they will face the winner of Portugal, Croatia, Spain, or Austria. For Belgium’s aging golden generation — including Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Thibaut Courtois — this tournament represents likely their last chance at World Cup glory. For the United States, it is an opportunity to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.

“We are still confident in our qualities,” De Cuyper concluded. “We will make sure to show them fully in the next match and push through.”

The match kicks off Monday, July 6 at 8:00 PM ET at Lumen Field, Seattle.