The reigning European champions against the tournament's most compelling comeback kings. Spain's defensive fortress against Belgium's attacking chaos. A healthy Kevin De Bruyne finally unleashed against Lamine Yamal. Friday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles is the most technically loaded quarter-final of the tournament, and Spain have never lost to Belgium in seven attempts.
Match Details
| Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026, Quarter-Final (Match 98) |
| Date | Friday, July 10, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 3:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM UK / 9:00 PM Morocco |
| Venue | SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles Stadium), Inglewood, California |
| Capacity | 70,240 |
How to Watch Spain vs Belgium
- 🇺🇸 USA (English): Fox
- 🇺🇸 USA (Spanish): Telemundo, Peacock
- 🇬🇧 UK: BBC One
- 🇪🇸 Spain: RTVE
- 🇧🇪 Belgium: RTBF / VRT
- 🇲🇦 Morocco: SNRT
The Stage: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Home of the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, the state-of-the-art facility holds 70,242 spectators and will be hosting its eighth and final World Cup match, having previously staged Spain's dominant 3-0 group-stage win over Austria. SoFi Stadium is widely regarded as the most technologically advanced venue in the United States, and one of the most spectacular in world sport. A genuine home advantage for Spain, who have already won here once in this tournament.
🇪🇸 Spain: Form, Path & Key Players
Spain have been the most defensively dominant team in the tournament. Spain topped Group H with seven points, drawing 0-0 with Cape Verde and beating Saudi Arabia 4-0 and Uruguay 1-0. They then won the Round of 32 3-0 against Austria, with two Mikel Oyarzabal goals and a Pedro Porro header. In the Round of 16, Mikel Merino headed home a stoppage-time winner to send La Roja through 1-0 in a tight, hard-fought contest against Portugal, also ending Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career.
Spain arrived ranked second in the world and have looked the part, winning three of their four matches so far without conceding a single goal. Spain play a 4-3-3. Rodri sits as the deepest midfielder, with Pedri and Gavi around him. Yamal and Nico Williams push high and wide, and the full-backs overlap when Spain control possession.
Five clean sheets in six matches. One goal conceded across the entire tournament. That is the statistic that defines this Spain side.
Players to watch:
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona): only the second player aged 18 or younger to open the scoring in a World Cup match; the other was a 17-year-old Pelé for Brazil vs Wales in 1958. Electric, unpredictable, and already a player of the tournament contender
- Rodri (Man City): the captain and defensive midfield anchor; the player who controls every tempo shift Spain makes
- Pedri (Barcelona): the creative engine in a midfield that doesn't let opponents breathe
- Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad): three goals so far, including a brace against Saudi Arabia; the clinical finisher of this side
- Mikel Merino (Arsenal): the hero of the Portugal win with his stoppage-time header; increasingly influential
- David Raya (Arsenal): barely tested but commanding; Spain's unbeaten record owes much to the structure in front of him
🇧🇪 Belgium: Form, Path & Key Players
Belgium have had a turbulent but ultimately thrilling tournament run. Belgium topped Group G on five points from a win and two draws, scoring six and conceding two. Their group results: 1-1 Belgium vs Egypt, 0-0 Belgium vs Iran, 5-1 Belgium vs New Zealand. In the Round of 32 they fought back from 2-0 down to beat Senegal 3-2 in extra time with a late header from Youri Tielemans that started the comeback that kept Belgium alive. In the Round of 16 they were devastating, putting four past the USA.
Charles De Ketelaere scored twice and assisted on another goal, helping Belgium expose the Americans' defensive liabilities in a 4-1 win Monday night.
Devastating Injury: Amadou Onana OUT
The defining story heading into this quarter-final is the loss of Belgium's midfield anchor. "Unfortunately, the medical examinations have confirmed that Amadou has suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament," Belgium team doctor Brahim Hacene said in a statement. "This is devastating news, both for him personally and for the team." Onana will stay with the Red Devils for their quarterfinal match against 2010 champion Spain on Friday at Los Angeles Stadium. His absence leaves a massive hole in Belgium's defensive midfield structure against Spain.Players to watch:
- Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli): De Bruyne, who did not play on Monday, participated in Tuesday's training session. Fully rested and expected to start for the first time since the group stage. At 35, this may be his last major tournament match
- Leandro Trossard (Arsenal): Trossard became the third Belgian player on record (since 1966) to score 2+ goals and provide 2+ assists in a single World Cup, after Eden Hazard in 2018 and Jan Ceulemans in 1986. He leads the 2026 World Cup rankings for chances created with 17
- Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta): the first Belgian player on record to be directly involved in three goals in a single World Cup match (two goals, one assist) against the USA; a revelation at this tournament
- Romelu Lukaku (as sub): Romelu Lukaku is the first player to score as a substitute in four different FIFA World Cup matches. His impact off the bench has been decisive throughout
- Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid): Belgium's most-capped player (20 World Cup appearances); one of the best goalkeepers in the world on his day
- Jeremy Doku (Man City): Jérémy Doku, who didn't start for Belgium on Monday but came off the bench as his fitness remains an issue, participated in Tuesday's training session. His pace in behind could stretch Spain's fullbacks
Head-to-Head
Spain have won six of their seven all-time meetings against Belgium, with the remaining match ending in a draw and Belgium yet to register a single victory. Spain have scored 16 goals across those seven meetings compared to just 3 for Belgium, an average of 2.71 goals per match.
Their only World Cup meetings came in 1982 (Spain 2-1 Belgium in the group stage) and 1986 (Belgium beat Spain 1-1, 5-4 on penalties, to reach the semi-finals, where they lost to Argentina).
| Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 World Cup | Group Stage | Spain 2-1 Belgium |
| 1986 World Cup | Quarter-Final | Belgium 1-1 Spain (Belgium won 5-4 pens) |
| Jul 10, 2026 | World Cup Quarter-Final | ? |
Belgium's only World Cup win over Spain came on penalties in 1986 40 years ago. They have never beaten Spain in 90 minutes.
Tournament Stats Compared
| Stat | Spain 🇪🇸 | Belgium 🇧🇪 |
|---|---|---|
| Games played | 6 | 6 |
| Wins | 5 | 3 |
| Goals scored | 9 | 17 |
| Goals conceded | 1 | 5 |
| Clean sheets | 5 | 2 |
| Points per game | 2.67 | 2.00 |
Tactical Preview
Spain under Luis de la Fuente will look to replicate what they've done all tournament: suffocate Belgium's midfield through relentless high pressing and recycle possession with lightning speed in tight spaces. Yamal and Nico Williams stretching Belgium's fullbacks wide is the primary tactical weapon. Without Onana anchoring Belgium's defensive midfield, the space in front of Belgium's back four is Spain's biggest opportunity.
Belgium under Rudi Garcia face their most significant tactical challenge of the tournament. Without Onana's recovery speed and aerial dominance, Garcia will need to reorganise his double pivot — likely bringing Hans Vanaken into a deeper role alongside Tielemans. The key is getting De Bruyne on the ball early and often; if Belgium can bypass Spain's midfield press and find their No.10 in space, they have the quality to cause problems. Doku and Trossard stretching Spain's fullbacks could be Belgium's most productive avenue.
The key battle: Rodri vs Kevin De Bruyne two of the best midfielders of their generation meeting for what could be one of the last times in a major tournament. Whoever wins that duel shapes the entire match.
Prediction
Spain are the better team, the more consistent team, and have never conceded more than once in this tournament. Belgium, without Onana, will find it harder than ever to control the central midfield zones that Spain exploit so ruthlessly.
But Belgium's attacking firepower De Ketelaere, Trossard, a fully fit De Bruyne, and Lukaku off the bench gives them the quality to score against anyone. They averaged 2.83 goals per game at this tournament. A Spain clean sheet against Belgium will be harder to maintain than against any side they've faced so far.
Our prediction: Spain 2-1 Belgium
Spain control the midfield and find the opener through Yamal or Oyarzabal. Belgium respond through De Bruyne's creativity and pull one back. But Spain's defensive structure ultimately holds and La Roja advance to a semi-final showdown against France or Morocco.
Path to the Semi-Final
The winner of Spain vs Belgium advances to the semi-final at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas on July 14, where they face the winner of Morocco vs France.
FAQ: Spain vs Belgium
When does Spain vs Belgium kick off?
Friday, July 10, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM UK at SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles Stadium) in Inglewood, California.
Is Amadou Onana playing against Spain?
No. Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana will miss the World Cup quarter-final against Spain after suffering a torn ACL during the victory over the USMNT. He tore his ACL in the 21st minute of the USA win and is out for the rest of the tournament.
Has Belgium ever beaten Spain?
Belgium have never beaten Spain in 90 minutes across seven all-time meetings. Their only win came on penalties at the 1986 World Cup, after a 1-1 draw in the quarter-finals.
Is Kevin De Bruyne starting against Spain?
Expected to start De Bruyne was rested against the USA and participated fully in Tuesday's training session. This could be his last major tournament match at 35.
What happens if Spain vs Belgium is a draw after 90 minutes?
Extra time (2x15 minutes), then a penalty shootout if still level.
Who does the winner face in the semi-final?
The winner faces Morocco or France at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas on July 14.
📌 Check back after the final whistle for our full match report. Follow all World Cup 2026 quarter-finals on our Live Hub.
