Spain vs Belgium Preview

Friday evening at SoFi Stadium delivers one of the most mouth-watering quarter-finals of this World Cup — the reigning European champions against a Belgium side that has found its best form at precisely the right moment. Spain arrive having been the most consistent team in the tournament, while Belgium’s stunning 4-1 dismantling of the United States in the Round of 16 announced them as genuine contenders for the title. This is a meeting of two deeply talented squads at the peak of their powers.

Spain have been exceptional throughout. Their most recent outing was a composed 1-0 win away to Portugal in the Round of 16 — a result that carried enormous psychological weight given the rivalry between the Iberian neighbours, and one that demonstrated Spain’s ability to win in the biggest moments. Prior to that, a 3-0 home win over Austria in the Round of 32. Before that, a 1-0 win away to Uruguay in the group stage — a disciplined, controlled display. Earlier in this run, a 4-0 home win over Saudi Arabia and a goalless draw at home to Cape Verde rounded out a group campaign in which Spain conceded nothing across their five outings. Lamine Yamal has been the tournament’s standout young player, Pedri and Rodri control the midfield with authority, and Olmo and Oyarzabal provide the goals. Spain are built on pressure, positional intelligence, and relentless work rate — a formula that has overwhelmed every opponent they have faced.

Belgium have been building throughout the tournament and arrived in the quarter-final playing their best football. Their most recent outing was a stunning 4-1 win away to the United States in the Round of 16, a performance of genuine quality that saw Trossard orchestrate from deep and Lukébakio cause havoc on the right. Prior to that, a 3-2 win over Senegal after extra time in the Round of 32 — a nervy but ultimately convincing victory. Before that, a 5-1 win away to New Zealand. Earlier in this run, draws with Iran and Egypt in the group stage suggested occasional inconsistency, but the wins that bookend this run show Belgium at full capacity. Courtois has been commanding in goal, Tielemans provides dynamism and control in midfield, and De Ketelaere has developed into one of the most creative players in the tournament.

The head-to-head record heavily favours Spain, who have won all five of the recorded meetings between these sides. Most recently, Spain won 2-0 away in Belgium in a friendly in September 2016. In the previous encounter, Spain beat Belgium 5-0 at home in a World Cup qualifier in September 2009.

In Spain, the match is live on TVE La 1, RTVE Play, DAZN Spain, and Movistar+. In Belgium, viewers can watch on VRT 1, Tipik, and Sporza. In the UK, the game is available on BBC Radio 5 Live, and in the United States on FOX Network and fuboTV.

Possible Lineups

Spain (4-2-3-1) Simón, Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella, Rodri, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Baena, Oyarzabal

Belgium (4-2-3-1) Courtois, De Cuyper, Mechele, Raskin, Castagne, Tielemans, Onana, De Ketelaere, Ngoy, Lukébakio, Trossard

No injury information was provided for either side ahead of this fixture.

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Group H — Final Standings

Pos	Team	MP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	P
1	Spain	3	2	1	0	5	0	+5	7
2	Cape Verde Islands	3	0	3	0	2	2	0	3
3	Uruguay	3	0	2	1	3	4	-1	2
4	Saudi Arabia	3	0	2	1	1	5	-4	2

Spain — Last 5 Matches

Result	Home Team	Score	Away Team	Competition	Date
✅	Portugal	0–1	Spain	World Cup	06/07/26
✅	Spain	3–0	Austria	World Cup	02/07/26
✅	Uruguay	0–1	Spain	World Cup	27/06/26
✅	Spain	4–0	Saudi Arabia	World Cup	21/06/26
🤝	Spain	0–0	Cape Verde	World Cup	15/06/26

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Group G — Final Standings

Pos	Team	MP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	P
1	Belgium	3	1	2	0	6	2	+4	5
2	Egypt	3	1	2	0	5	3	+2	5
3	Iran	3	0	3	0	3	3	0	3
4	New Zealand	3	0	1	2	4	10	-6	1

Belgium — Last 5 Matches

Result	Home Team	Score	Away Team	Competition	Date
✅	USA	1–4	Belgium	World Cup	07/07/26
✅	Belgium	3–2	Senegal	World Cup	01/07/26
✅	New Zealand	1–5	Belgium	World Cup	27/06/26
🤝	Belgium	0–0	Iran	World Cup	21/06/26
🤝	Belgium	1–1	Egypt	World Cup	15/06/26

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Head-to-Head

Home Team	Score	Away Team	Competition	Date
Belgium	0–2	Spain	Friendly	01/09/16
Spain	5–0	Belgium	World Cup	05/09/09
Belgium	1–2	Spain	World Cup	15/10/08
Belgium	0–2	Spain	World Cup	08/10/05
Spain	2–0	Belgium	World Cup	09/10/04

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TV Listings / Streaming

Country	Channel
Spain	TVE La 1, RTVE Play, DAZN Spain, DAZN Mundial, Movistar+
Belgium	VRT 1, Tipik, Sporza, RTBF Auvio Direct
Great Britain	BBC Radio 5 Live
USA	FOX Network, fuboTV, Telemundo
France	M6, beIN Sports 1, M6+, myCANAL
Germany	ZDF, MagentaTV
Italy	DAZN Italia, RAI 1, RaiPlay
Canada	TSN+, TSN1, TSN3, RDS, CTV, Crave
Australia	SBS, SBS On Demand
Netherlands	NPO 1, VRT 1, Ziggo Go