Spain vs Belgium: World Cup 2026 Quarter-Final Preview
After a tough win against Portugal, Spain faces Belgium in a crucial quarter-final at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, on Friday, July 10, 2026. Kickoff is set for 3pm ET (12pm PT, 9pm CET).
La Roja aims to reach the semi-finals and potentially face Kylian Mbappé’s France, promising one of the most exciting Final Four matches in recent memory. But first, they must get past a Belgium side that has been inconsistent but resilient throughout the tournament.
Belgium’s Rocky Road to the Knockouts
The Belgians started with two draws against Iran and Egypt, needing a strong final group match to advance. They almost bowed out after struggling against Senegal, but pulled off a dramatic comeback late in extra time to secure their place in the Round of 16.
In that round, Belgium faced hosts United States amid controversy. Despite challenges, Belgium showed impressive composure and dominated the game to move forward.
Kevin De Bruyne’s Influence
Interestingly, Belgium’s best performances came without Kevin De Bruyne on the field. His World Cup has been underwhelming so far, likely due to an injury-hit club season. The team looks more compact and energetic when he’s sidelined.
It’s difficult to guess which Belgium will appear against Spain, as De Bruyne is expected to play. If it’s the dominant Belgium from the US game, Spain will face a fierce test. If not, La Roja might find the path easier.
Match Details and Viewing Information
- Date & Time: Friday, July 10, 2026, 3pm ET (USA)
- Venue: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
- Referee: Michael Oliver (England)
- TV Coverage: FOX (USA), BBC One (UK), United8 Sports 1 (India), SuperSport (Nigeria), TVE La 1 (Spain)
- Streaming: FuboTV (USA), BBC iPlayer (UK), ZEE5 (India), DAZN (Spain)
Projected Starting Lineups
Belgium performs best without De Bruyne, but he’s expected to play on Friday. Predicting which version of Belgium will show up is tough. We think Spain will edge this one, 2-1, and keep their hopes alive to face France.
