Spain vs Belgium: World Cup 2026 Quarterfinal Preview, Prediction and Team News
Spain vs Belgium is the second FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal, on Friday, July 10, 2026, at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, with kickoff at 3:00 PM ET (7:00 PM GMT).
Spain, the reigning European champion and tournament favorite, is the only team yet to concede a goal at this World Cup, with five clean sheets in five matches. Belgium arrives on an 18-match unbeaten run across all competitions after demolishing host USA 4-1, the most emphatic knockout win by any team left in the bracket.
The winner faces France or Morocco in the semifinals. This is the eighth and final World Cup 2026 match at Los Angeles Stadium, with a capacity crowd of over 70,000 expected.
Spain vs Belgium Match Details
| Match | Spain vs Belgium, Quarterfinal 2 |
| Date | Friday, July 10, 2026 |
| Kickoff time | 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM GMT / 8:00 PM BST |
| Venue | Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California |
| TV channel (USA) | FOX (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Live stream | FOX One, FOX Sports app, Peacock (Spanish) |
How Spain and Belgium Reached the Quarterfinals
Spain topped Group H after a 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, then wins over Uruguay (1-0) and Saudi Arabia (4-0).
In the knockout stage, Luis de la Fuente’s side beat Austria 3-0 before edging Portugal 1-0 in the Round of 16 through Mikel Merino’s stoppage-time header, a result that ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career.
La Roja has not conceded in five matches, with goalkeeper Unai Simon setting a new tournament record for minutes without conceding. Mikel Oyarzabal leads Spain with four goals, and this is Spain’s first World Cup quarterfinal since winning the trophy in 2010.
Belgium started slowly, drawing with Egypt and Iran before a 5-1 rout of New Zealand secured top spot in the group with five points. Rudi Garcia’s side then survived a 3-2 extra-time thriller against Senegal in the Round of 32 and stunned the co-host USA 4-1 in Seattle in the Round of 16,
with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice. The Red Devils have reached the quarterfinals in three of the last four World Cups and are chasing a first major trophy for this generation.
Spain vs Belgium Team News and Injuries
Spain
De la Fuente is expected to name an unchanged XI from the Portugal win. Nico Williams remains short of full fitness after an adductor injury and stays on the bench, with Alex Baena continuing on the left wing.
Lamine Yamal, who has completed a tournament-high 17 dribbles, starts on the right. Match-winner Merino and Fabian Ruiz provide elite depth from the bench.
Belgium
Midfielder Amadou Onana is out of the tournament after tearing his ACL against the USA, a major blow to Belgium’s engine room, and defender Zeno Debast faces a late fitness test.
The big story is Kevin De Bruyne, who was rested entirely against the USA and is expected to return to the starting XI. De Ketelaere continues as the false nine, with Romelu Lukaku, who scored his 93rd international goal last time out, again an impact option from the bench. Hans Vanaken, who scored against the USA, steps into Onana’s midfield role.
Predicted Lineups
Spain (4-2-3-1): Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal
Belgium (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Castagne, Mechele, Ngoy, De Cuyper; Vanaken, Tielemans; Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard; De Ketelaere
Tactical Analysis: Where Spain vs Belgium Will Be Decided
The defining contest is Rodri against De Bruyne. Spain’s possession game runs through the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, whose screening of the back four is the foundation of five straight clean sheets. De Bruyne is the one creator left in the bracket with the passing range to drag Rodri out of position and release Jeremy Doku and De Ketelaere in transition.
Belgium’s best path is direct: bypass Spain’s counter-press quickly and attack the space behind a high defensive line. Spain’s route to goal is patient, working Yamal into one-on-ones on the right and feeding Oyarzabal in the box. Spain’s structure has resisted everything so far; Belgium’s transitions are the sternest test it has faced.
Spain vs Belgium Head-to-Head Record
Spain has dominated this fixture historically, winning 12 of 22 meetings against Belgium’s five, with five draws. The sides have met twice at a World Cup: Belgium eliminated Spain on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the 1986 quarterfinal in Mexico, and Spain won 2-1 in the 1990 group stage.
Their most recent meeting was a 2016 friendly, won 2-0 by Spain. Belgium’s 1986 shootout win remains the only time it has knocked Spain out of a major tournament.
Spain vs Belgium Prediction
Spain deserves favorite status. The defensive record is historic, the midfield controls every match, and Merino’s late winner against Portugal proved La Roja can find goals under pressure.
But Belgium is the most dangerous opponent Spain has faced: De Bruyne’s return adds elite creativity to an attack that has scored nine goals in two knockout matches. Expect Belgium to break Spain’s shutout streak, and Spain to win anyway.
Prediction: Spain 2-1 Belgium
Spain vs Belgium FAQ
What time is Spain vs Belgium kickoff?
Kickoff is 3:00 PM ET (7:00 PM GMT) on Friday, July 10, 2026, at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California.
What channel is Spain vs Belgium on?
FOX (English) and Telemundo (Spanish) in the USA, with streaming on FOX One and the FOX Sports app.
Is Kevin De Bruyne playing against Spain?
De Bruyne was rested for Belgium’s win over the USA and is expected to return to the starting lineup for the quarterfinal.
Who is injured for Spain vs Belgium?
Belgium’s Amadou Onana is out of the tournament with an ACL tear. Spain’s Nico Williams (adductor) is fit enough only for the bench.
Has Spain conceded a goal at World Cup 2026?
No. Spain has five clean sheets in five matches, the only team at the tournament yet to concede.
Who does the Spain vs Belgium winner play in the semifinals?
The winner of France vs Morocco, on Tuesday, July 14.
Has Belgium ever beaten Spain at a World Cup?
Yes. Belgium won the 1986 quarterfinal on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Spain won their other World Cup meeting 2-1 in 1990.
Who is Spain’s top scorer at World Cup 2026?
Mikel Oyarzabal leads Spain with four goals at the tournament.
Spain vs Belgium is the most evenly matched World Cup 2026 quarterfinal: the tournament’s best defense against its hottest attack. Spain’s control, depth and unbroken shutout streak make La Roja the favorite, but De Bruyne’s return gives Belgium a genuine route to an upset.
Expect goals at both ends for the first time in Spain’s tournament, with Spain advancing to a semifinal against France or Morocco. Kickoff is 3:00 PM ET on Friday, July 10.
Follow every result and the road to the final on our World Cup 2026 quarterfinal bracket.
