The 2010 winners, Spain, face off against highly motivated Belgium in an all-European quarterfinal tie clash of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles. The winners will go on to face either France or Morocco in the semifinal battle.
Spain vs Belgium FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Details
Date: Friday, 10 July 2026 / Saturday, 11 July 2026
Kick-off: 12:00 (EST) / 00:30 (IST)
Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood
Spain vs Belgium FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Preview
Mikel Merino’s stoppage-time winner ultimately decided the closely contested battle against their Iberian rivals, Portugal, as Spain clinched a 1-0 victory to finally escape the Round of 16 stage after failing to do so in the last two editions. It not only helped La Roja to seek the revenge of their defeat in the Nations League final via a penalty shootout last summer, but also eliminated a side that was among the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup. Luis de la Fuente’s side wasn’t at their free-flowing best against a higher-ranked opponent again, but it was effective with them remaining the only side not to have conceded a single goal in the tournament so far. They have kept a record six straight clean sheets, which not even the 2010 winning side managed. Spain has also remained spotless, topping Group H despite a freak goalless draw against this edition’s fairytale side, Cape Verde and humbling Austria in the Round of 32 before this huge win puts them in their sixth World Cup quarterfinal in history. While Lamine Yamal is yet to fire since the second group game, Mikel Oyarzabal has been more consistent, having been involved in 23 goals in his last 17 games, which he started and bagging four in this tournament in North America, giving hope to the side. Spain are now just three wins away from lifting the prestigious trophy after 16 years and it's another fellow European side that stands in their way of spoiling the party. Since suffering defeat to Belgium in Euro 1980, La Roja have won nine of the 11 meetings with the Red Devils, including in the last World Cup meeting back in 1990. If Spain doesn’t become makers of their own downfall, they are less likely to fear missing the semifinals of the World Cup for the first time since their history-making triumph in South Africa. Here’s the Spain FIFA World Cup Knockout Record
Much of Belgium’s build-up to the Round of 16 clash with the United States was overshadowed by the controversial overturn of the co-host’s in-form striker, Florian Balogun’s suspension for the game after receiving a direct red card in the USA’s Round of 32 clash with Bosnia, where even the White House got involved. It drove fury worldwide, with UEFA and the Belgian FA putting out a strong statement. However, the Red Devils handled the ugly situation brilliantly as they blew apart Mauricio Pochettino’s men 4-1, eliminating them in the process. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice before Hans Vanaken took advantage of an absolute howler from the opposition keeper Matt Freese to find the unguarded net, while Romelu Lukaku scored as a late substitute for the third straight game in the competition to put the icing on the cake. The victory also came despite Rudi Garcia’s gamble of benching Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne, with the latter not receiving any minutes for the first time in the competition. It was an emphatic showing from Belgium, who were forced to make a dramatic comeback from 2-0 down against Senegal in the Round of 32 and also faced criticism for their disappointing draws against Egypt and Iran in the first two games. The manner of victory also comes at the right time for the side when they are set to face a competition favourite in Spain, knowing ṭhey have a chance to equal their best finish in the World Cup stage, which is reaching the semifinals achieved in 2018. With many predicting the side to struggle after the end of their golden generation, it will be some reply to the doubters and quite a reversal of fortunes if they maintain their sensational 18-game unbeaten run here. The one drawback will be the absence of star midfielder Amadou Onana, who tore his ACL in the victory against the USA, which ended with a mocking ‘Trump Dance’. Here’s Belgium FIFA World Cup Records and Stats
Spain vs Belgium FIFA World Cup 2026 Form
Spain: DWWWW
Belgium: DDWWW
Spain vs Belgium FIFA World Cup 2026 Predicted Lineups
Spain (4-2-3-1): Simón; Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal
Belgium (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Vanaken, Tielemans; Lukebakio, De Bruyne, Trossard; De Ketelaere
Spain vs Belgium FIFA World Cup 2026 Prediction
Spain might not have the attacking influx that they had in Euro 2024 success, but La Roja have grown a sense of solidity that was lacking in the side due to their extravagant style of play. Adding a different dimension to themselves has made them a dangerous opponent, even though their attack is not clicking like before. Although Belgium could unleash Lukaku to cause issues for the Spanish backline later in the game if they can hold off their opponents for long, as he has been a weapon off the bench this tournament, La Roja’s centre-back pair has been impervious so far and will remain so here.
FT: Spain 2-0 Belgium
