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The United States got kicked in the teeth for the first time at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, conceding two goals to Belgium in the opening half of their Round of 16 match.
Both goals came from mercurial striker Charles De Ketelaere, who had been playing out of position and struggled at the World Cup before coming up big against the USMNT, putting Belgium in front twice.
De Ketelaere may be small in stature, but he played like a traditional target No. 9 against the USA, bagging his first goal inside the first 10 minutes before striking again seconds after the U.S. equalized.
Who is Charles De Ketelaere?
25-year-old forward Charles De Ketelaere (pronounced "de kettle-ARR-ay") has had an interesting career.
Once considered one of the best young players in the world, he earned a big-money move from his boyhood side Club Brugge to Serie A giants AC Milan with high hopes.
It didn't work out, but De Ketelaere has remained positive enough throughout his club career to keep him in a position to play for the Belgian national team and has carved out a decent role up front.
De Ketelaere is a very specific player, one who has found it difficult to establish a solidified position. He is mostly considered an attacking midfielder, or a No. 10, but he plays at striker for the national team, where he has done just enough to ward off the other less impressive options.
Charles De Ketelaere goals vs. USMNT
De Ketelaere had not scored yet at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but found the back of the net twice against the United States in impressive fashion.
He looked like a true central striker on both occasions, first arriving at the goal mouth with a run to meet the diagonal entry ball from Nicolas Raskin, and the second while posterizing 38-year-old Tim Ream to powerfully deliver a header into the back of the net.
Watch second Charles De Ketelaere goal in USA:
Charles De Ketelaere bags his brace pic.twitter.com/EUpBXv9CpC
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 7, 2026Where does Charles De Ketelaere play club soccer?
At the time of the 2026 World Cup, Charles De Ketelaere played for Italian club Atalanta.
He began his career at Belgian side Club Brugge, debuting in the 2019/20 season. As one of the biggest young prospects in European football, De Ketelaere earned a big move to AC Milan in the summer of 2022, with the €37.5 million move considered a cut-rate price for such a highly-rated prospect.
It never really worked out at the San Siro, though, and he would be loaned out to Atalanta just one year later, making the move permanent in the summer of 2024.
His two-goal appearance against the United States marked his 34th international appearance for Belgium, debuting in 2020 while scoring eight times.
Charles De Ketelaere age
Charles De Ketelaere may have a baby face, but he was in the prime of his soccer career by the time the 2026 FIFA World Cup came around.
Born on March 10, 2001, De Ketelaere was 25 years old at the 2026 World Cup.
English (US)