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Three people run onto field and stop play during the World Cup match between Belgium and Senegal

Three people run onto field and stop play during the World Cup match between Belgium and Senegal | iNFOnews.ca
A security guard try to catch pitch invaders during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

SEATTLE (AP) — Three people ran onto the field during Wednesday’s World Cup match between Belgium and Senegal in the round of 32, causing a stoppage of play.

The people disrupted the game in the 32nd minute. Roughly a dozen security guards were deployed to get them off the field. Belgium defender Maxim De Cuyper held onto the ball amid the incident.

At the time of the interruption, Senegal was leading Belgium 1-0 on a goal by Habib Diarra in the 25th minute. Diarra also scored in the 5-0 rout of Iraq.

Senegal advanced to the knockout round as one of the best third-place finishers. The African team navigated one of the toughest groups in the tournament, facing France and the Erling Haaland-led Norway.

Belgium won its group with five points. The Red Devils did not advance out of the group stage at the last World Cup in Qatar following a historic third-place finish at the 2018 tournament in Russia.

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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Three people run onto field and stop play during the World Cup match between Belgium and Senegal | iNFOnews.ca
A pitch invader is held by security during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Three people run onto field and stop play during the World Cup match between Belgium and Senegal | iNFOnews.ca
A fan runs onto the pitch during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Three people run onto field and stop play during the World Cup match between Belgium and Senegal | iNFOnews.ca
A fan runs onto the pitch during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Three people run onto field and stop play during the World Cup match between Belgium and Senegal | iNFOnews.ca
A pitch invader is held by security during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

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The Associated Press

Andrew Destin

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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