When Seattle found out months ago that it would be hosting six matches for this year’s FIFA men’s World Cup, the city had no idea that one of those would be a must-win game for Team USA. With a chance at the quarterfinals on the line, Monday’s match against Belgium is likely to be Seattle’s biggest World Cup event yet.

Just when the World Cup fervor in Seattle seemed to reach a fever pitch, soccer fans found out last week that Team USA would return on Monday for a chance to make the tournament’s quarterfinal round.

Red and white striped U.S. jerseys have been seen all over town. Rumors swirled that the president might even show up. (Reportedly, he is not.)

Seattle city officials announced that the Pioneer Square pedestrian zone, the epicenter of the city’s World Cup party, would be opened earlier than previous match days.

Transportation officials, downtown bars, and soccer fans are expecting huge crowds for Monday’s match.

Zachary Fajardo expects to see the most people in Seattle so far this tournament. He would know: Fajardo works at Hometeam and Darkalino’s near Occidental Square. The business is right in the heart of all of the soccer action.

“It’s been kind of crazy,” Fajardo told KUOW, “there’s been a party every single day.”

Thousands of soccer fans crowd the Harbor Steps ahead of the FIFA World Cup match between USA and Australia, on Friday, June 19, 2026, in Seattle.

Monday is shaping up to be an all-day party across town.

U.S. fans will gather at Pier 58 on the waterfront starting at 10:30. Food, live DJs, and a big screen will show the match. Belgian fans will meet at Victory Hall near the stadium at 11.

Both fan bases will march to the stadium. Expect lots of chants and cheers. USA fans will leave Pier 58 at 3PM, make their way through what will likely be an already crammed Pioneer Square, and continue to Seattle’s stadium. Belgians will leave Victory Hall at 2:45.

To accommodate the surge of fans expected to show up, the popular Pioneer Square pedestrian zone will open at 12:30, a half hour earlier than previous match days.

In addition to the watch parties at Seattle Center, Pacific Place, and the waterfront, a new party was just announced over the weekend.

The Chinatown-International District will host a free watch party at Hing Hay Park starting at 4. Some businesses in this neighborhood have reported they’re not enjoying a big World Cup business boom.

Adding to the excitement was the Sunday morning announcement that Team USA star Folarin Balogun would be eligible to play on Monday. Balogun had received a red card in his previous match which prohibited him from playing in this next game. But that red card was overturned by FIFA, much to the thrill of American soccer fans.

“I’m feeling good now, especially after FIFA rescinded that ridiculous red card against Balogun,” Eric Wilkins from Oakland said, “so I’m predicting 2-1, USA.”

Wilkins said the star forward will score two goals by himself tonight, just to stick it to FIFA.

Laura Pratot also predicts a 2-1 final score — but for the other team.

“It’s gonna be a tough match, definitely won’t be easy,” Pratot said, who traveled from Belgium to cheer on her home team, “but I think Belgium will win — at least I hope.”

If the first five matches in Seattle have been any indicator, Monday’s match will likely be the biggest. The region reported record transit ridership, record foot-traffic, record business sales, and record Lime-scooter rides the last time Team USA played here on June 19th.

Now, with the stakes so much higher for both teams, soccer fans are expecting a huge match that millions of people around the world will tune in to watch.

“Gonna be packed. People climbing up the trees,” said Zachary Fajardo, “be prepared. It’s going to be fun.”

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/07/06/seattles-last-world-cup-match-is-set-to-be-its-biggest/