Belgium, Senegal set for Seattle’s first World Cup knockout-round match

SEATTLE — The FIFA World Cup enters the knockout stage in Seattle on Wednesday as Belgium and Senegal face off in a win-or-go-home Round of 32 match at Seattle Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. The winner advances to the Round of 16, while the losing team will be eliminated from the tournament.

The match is expected to draw thousands of traveling supporters from Belgium and Senegal, adding to the international atmosphere that has defined Seattle’s World Cup host schedule. For many fans, simply attending a World Cup match is the realization of a lifelong dream.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Tolu Olaiya, who is supporting Senegal.

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Others have traveled to Seattle to celebrate milestone moments with family. Vanessa Montanari said she surprised her daughter, Gia, with World Cup tickets as a birthday gift.

“It’s so special,” Gia Montanari said. “It’s so fun to experience another part of the United States. We’ve never been here before, and I just can’t wait to go to the game.”

Belgium supporter Kevin Destorme said he made a promise when his son was born 18 years ago.

“When he was born, I said it was a dream to follow the World Cup for his 18th birthday wherever it was,” Destorme said. “It was in America, and we came over here.”

Supporters from both countries said they are embracing the significance of the tournament, regardless of the outcome.

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“This has been on my bucket list for a very long time,” said Stefan Forgenie, who is supporting Senegal.

“It was a dream to go to the World Cup,” Belgium supporter Luca Montanari said.

The atmosphere is expected to build throughout the morning. Belgium supporters are scheduled to gather at Victory Hall before marching to Seattle Stadium ahead of kickoff. As of Tuesday, Seattle World Cup organizers said they were not aware of any organized pregame marches planned by Senegal supporters.

The Belgium-Senegal matchup will be Seattle’s first knockout-round match of the tournament. The city is also scheduled to host a Round of 16 match on July 6.