7M - World Cup 2026 Preview: Spain vs Belgium - prediction, team news, lineups

A massive European showdown awaits in Los Angeles this Friday as past champions Spain square off against Belgium in the second quarter-final of the 2026 World Cup, with a spot in the semi-finals against either France or Morocco on the line.

Match Preview

Luis de la Fuente’s Spain are searching for their second global title, standing just three victories away from repeating their 2010 triumph. La Roja navigated Group H as winners before knocking out Austria. They then faced a tough round-of-16 clash against Portugal, resolving a previous Nations League final defeat by securing a narrow win courtesy of a late Mikel Merino strike.

Defensive resilience has been the cornerstone of Spain’s success. They are the only team in the tournament yet to concede a goal, maintaining a record-breaking streak of six consecutive World Cup clean sheets, translating to over 10 hours of football. De la Fuente also boasts a perfect record in major knockout matches, having progressed from all six during his tenure. History favors Spain as well, with nine wins in their last 11 encounters against Belgium, although their overall World Cup head-to-head stands even at one win each.

Belgium, meanwhile, are out to match the achievements of their legendary 1986 team, which famously eliminated Spain at this exact stage. Rudi Garcia's side topped Group G despite some unconvincing displays, then pulled off a breathtaking 3-2 victory over Senegal in the last 32, sealed by a record-breaking late goal from captain Youri Tielemans.

In the subsequent round in Seattle, Garcia made the bold tactical decision to bench stars Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, and Romelu Lukaku against the USA. The gamble paid off handsomely in a 4-1 triumph, featuring a brace from Charles De Ketelaere and a goal from Hans Vanaken, before Lukaku came off the bench to score for his third consecutive match. Averaging over 2.5 goals per game at these finals, the Red Devils have thoroughly silenced critics who predicted their decline after a group-stage exit in Qatar. They enter this high-stakes fixture on an impressive 18-game unbeaten run.

Team News

Spain have favored a highly stable lineup throughout the tournament. While Marcos Llorente, Fabian Ruiz, and Merino are making strong cases to start, De la Fuente is unlikely to make drastic changes. Nico Williams remains limited by an adductor issue, meaning Euro 2024 star Lamine Yamal will continue on the right flank, while Mikel Oyarzabal—who has 23 goal involvements in his last 17 international starts—leads the line.

For Belgium, De Ketelaere is expected to retain his spot as a false nine, leaving top-scorer Lukaku as a potent weapon on the bench. De Bruyne, who was substituted in Belgium's first four games before being dropped against the USA, could return to the starting midfield. Garcia must find a replacement for Amadou Onana, who tragically suffered an ACL injury on Monday, opening the door for Vanaken or Nicolas Raskin. The back four is set to remain steady as Zeno Debast remains sidelined with a leg injury.

Possible Starting Lineups

Spain possible starting lineup:
Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal

Belgium possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Vanaken, Tielemans; Lukebakio, De Bruyne, Trossard; De Ketelaere

Prediction: Spain 1-0 Belgium

This quarter-final could turn into a battle of tactical patience rather than a wide-open goal fest. Spain excel at suffocating opponents through suffocating possession and relentless defensive discipline. While Belgium possess plenty of firepower, breaching La Roja’s historic backline might prove an impossible task.