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The U.S. is one win away from equaling its most successful World Cup ever, having reached the quarterfinals once before, in 2002.
With the win, the Stars and Stripes are in the round of 16. The USA will face Belgium on Monday, July 6 on FOX at 8 p.m. ET (stream on FOX One).
The US already knows how much of an impact the referee can have on a match. In the 64th minute of their round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, USA star forward Folarin Balogun was sent off with a controversial red card.
Folarin Balogun received a red card in the USA’s Round of 16 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).
And with that decision, Balogun was expected to serve an automatic one-game ban and miss the crucial match against Belgium.
But in a stunning turn of events, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee ruled that Balogun will now be able to play in the Round of 16.
So who is the referee in this critical battle?
USA vs. Belgium judge
FIFA has appointed Jordanian official Adham Makhadmeh to referee the Round of 16 match between the USA and Belgium.
Makhadmeh has been a FIFA international referee since 2013 and has spent more than a decade refereeing FIFA World Cup qualifiers, AFC competitions and other major international tournaments. He also handled the first leg of the 2017 AFC Champions League Final between Al Hilal and Urawa Red Diamonds, one of the biggest club matches in Asian football.
Adham Makhadmeh is the referee for USA vs. Belgium in the Round of 16 (Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images).
The 39-year-old was selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside two other Jordanian assistant referees.
He made his tournament debut in Spain’s Group H match against Cape Verde on 15 June before turning out New Zealand against Belgium in the group stage on 26 June. He was then named in England’s round of 16 win over DR Congo on July 1, and now gets another high-profile knockout assignment with the USA and Belgium.
Known for his composed demeanor and ability to manage high-pressure matches, Makhadmeh has built a reputation as one of Asia’s most trusted referees.
Now, with the whole world watching, Makhadmeh will be the judge on Monday in Seattle as the United States looks to make history.
