Hundreds of soccer fans gathered Monday at Raimondi Park in Oakland to watch the United States men’s national team face — and eventually lose to — Belgium in the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The watch party, hosted at the home of the Oakland Ballers independent professional baseball team, drew families, friends and soccer supporters from across the Bay Area. Fans wearing U.S. jerseys, waving American flags and draped in red, white and blue filled the outfield as they watched the match on a large screen.

  • A young person holds an American flag aloft at an outdoor gathering under a partly cloudy sky.
    A child waves an American flag as fans watch the United States play Belgium during a FIFA World Cup Round of 16 watch party at Raimondi Park in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, July 6, 2026. Hundreds gathered to watch the match, which Belgium won 4-1 to advance to the quarterfinals. (Joshua Olawuyi/Bay City News)
  • A person draped in an American flag stands in a grassy field filled with a large crowd seated for an outdoor event under a clear sky.
    Melvin Mendez of Oakland watches the United States play Belgium during a FIFA World Cup Round of 16 watch party at Raimondi Park, Oakland, on Monday, July 6, 2026. (Joshua Olawuyi/Bay City News)
  • A crowd of spectators sits on the grass at a sports event, with one person in a red, white, and blue jersey gesturing toward the field.
    Berkeley resident Chris Cuttei watches the United States play Belgium during a FIFA World Cup Round of 16 watch party at Raimondi Park, Oakland, on Monday, July 6, 2026. (Joshua Olawuyi/Bay City News)

The crowd reacted to every scoring opportunity, celebrating U.S. chances and falling silent after Belgian goals.

  • A family sits outdoors under a clear blue sky, with one person holding an American flag and another raising a fist in the air.
    (L-R) Temesgen Dabsu of Pinole sits with Sifen Temesgen and Lidiya Jebessa as they react to the United States versus Belgium game during a FIFA World Cup Round of 16 watch party at Raimondi Park in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, July 6, 2026. Belgium defeated the United States 4-1 to advance to the quarterfinals. (Joshua Olawuyi/Bay City News)
  • A person wearing a cap and draped in an American flag blanket sits in a large outdoor crowd at a stadium.
    Melvin Mendez of Oakland watches the United States play Belgium during a FIFA World Cup Round of 16 watch party at Raimondi Park, Oakland, on Monday, July 6, 2026. (Joshua Olawuyi/Bay City News)
  • A large crowd sits on blankets across a grassy field under a bright blue sky, enjoying an outdoor event at a stadium.
    Crowds watch the United States play Belgium during a FIFA World Cup Round of 16 watch party at Raimondi Park in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, July 6, 2026. Belgium defeated the United States 4-1, ending the Americans’ World Cup campaign. The U.S. men’s soccer team has never won the World Cup and has not made it to the quarterfinals since 2002. (Joshua Olawuyi/Bay City News)

In the end, Belgium defeated the United States 4–1, ending the Americans’ World Cup campaign. The U.S. men’s soccer team has never won the World Cup and has not made it to the quarterfinals since 2002.

A large group of people are gathered on a grassy field under a clear blue sky, sitting on blankets and enjoying an outdoor event.
A group of people gathers under a "Built by Oakland" banner at an outdoor event entrance on a sunny day.
Left: Crowds watch the United States play Belgium during a FIFA World Cup Round of 16 watch party at Raimondi Park. Right: U.S. soccer fans file into Raimondi Park in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, July 6, 2026, to watch United States play Belgium during a FIFA World Cup Round of 16. (Joshua Olawuyi/Bay City News)

A graduate student at UC Berkeley's School of Journalism, Joshua is a storyteller, documentary filmmaker and multimedia producer with experience across journalism and media production. He is passionate about using compelling narratives to connect communities, amplify diverse voices and explore issues that impact everyday people.