The 2026 World Cup’s second quarterfinal is Friday afternoon when Spain faces Belgium at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Kickoff is 3 PM ET with a semifinal berth at stake versus France. Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026
This is a duel between two of the most talented squads in Europe, with several of the best individual players in world football. Spain’s flawless defensive record at the tournament goes up against Belgium’s lethal counter-attacking threat with Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Romelu Lukaku.
Spain Continues Undefeated, Perfect Defense
Luis de la Fuente’s side had been one of the most impressive sides at the 2017 World Cup. Spain have not surrendered a goal in seven games, an astonishing feat that is a testament to the collective defensive discipline built on Rodri’s midfield control and the dominant centre-back partnership of Pau Cubarsi and Aymeric Laporte.
Their 1-0 triumph against Portugal in the Round of 16 was not a classic display of attack, but it showed Spain’s capacity to win tight knockout games without conceding a goal, the kind of grit that wins World Cups.
Lamine Yamal has been finding top form with every game. The 18-year-old Barcelona sensation has already scored two goals and provided three assists in the tournament, and his showing against Portugal suggested he is finally returning to the kind of top form Spain need from their most imaginative player.
The fitness situation is far better than in the game vs Portugal. Spain will have their full-strength attacking lineup at their disposal for the first time since the group stage, with Nico Williams set to come back into the starting lineup after recuperating from his adductor issue.
Belgium: Dangerous, unpredictable, but capable of anything
Belgium’s journey to the quarterfinals has not been smooth. After winning their first two group games, they hammered New Zealand 5-1, then came from two goals behind to beat Senegal 3-2 in extra time, before destroying the host team United States 4-1.
Kevin De Bruyne’s performance against the USMNT was perhaps the best individual performance of the entire knockout round, completing 94% of his passes, generating four chances and scoring one of the great World Cup goals from 30 yards.
The 35-year-old Manchester City legend looks to be preserving himself for what will likely be his last World Cup tournament.
The tactical question for Rudi Garcia is the fitness of Romelu Lukaku. The 33-year-old has scored twice from the bench at this tournament and could be given a rare start against Spain’s experienced centre-back pairing. More offensive alternatives are available to the Belgian captain with the pace of Jeremy Doku and the ingenuity of Leandro Trossard.
Belgium have no further injury worries and are poised to name a strong team similar to the one that so comprehensively knocked the United States out on Monday.
Probable Starting Lineups
Spain (4-2-3-1):
Simon Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella Rodri, Pedri, Yamal, Olmo, Williams, Oyarzabal
Belgium (4-2-3-1):
Courtois Castagne, Mechele, Theate, De Cuyper Tielemans, Onana Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard
De Ketelaere.
Battles to Watch
Lamine Yamal v Youri Tielemans & Timothy Fosu-Mensah
The individual contest to follow most intently will be that of Castagne on Belgium’s right. Spain’s teenage star is now playing at the top level of his young career, and Belgium’s right side has been vulnerable by pace and directness in previous encounters at this tournament. Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026
The midfield clash between Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri might define the whole game.
Spain’s World Cup winner controls the tempo and dictates possession from deep, while De Bruyne’s ability to locate holes between the lines and play devastating through balls provides Belgium a route to goal that no other side at this tournament has been able to offer.
With Nico Williams returning, Spain’s left side will again become a dangerous area. Timothy Castagne has been excellent for Belgium at right back throughout the tournament but may find Williams’ electrifying pace and directness in one-on-one scenarios difficult to handle.
Head to Head: Spain against. The Edge
Spain have a strong historical record against Belgium, winning seven of their last 10 competitive meetings and losing only twice. The last time they faced each other was in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 when Spain won 2-1 thanks to a late goal from Fabian Ruiz, before lifting the title in Berlin.
That recent precedent of Spain overcoming Belgium in a major tournament quarter-final and going on to lift the trophy will give De la Fuente’s team huge confidence ahead of Friday’s rematch at SoFi Stadium
The Stakes: A Semifinal vs. France
The winner of this match will play France in the semifinal at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday, July 14 at 3 PM ET. France have been in phenomenal form throughout this tournament, and both Spain and Belgium know they face a huge task to reach the final.
For Spain, the potential to meet France in the semi-finals is a special one. These two countries fought one of the great World Cup finals in 2010, when Iniesta’s extra-time winner awarded Spain their first and only World Cup triumph.
Another semi-final clash, with the trophy still ultimately at stake, would captivate the imagination of the entire football globe.
Our Prediction: Spain beats Belgium 1-0
Spain’s defensive strength, possession supremacy and the emerging genius of Lamine Yamal should be pivotal in what is expected to be a tight, edgy and tactically fascinating quarterfinal.
Belgium will need to find a way past a Spanish defensive structure that has not surrendered in 630 minutes of World Cup football, and their clean sheet record in this tournament is just incredible.
De Bruyne and Doku will provide the chances for Belgium, but Spain’s dominance of possession and ability to restrict the areas in which Belgium’s counter-attacks may bloom should see La Roja sneak over to a semifinal against France.
Match Details:
Date: Friday 10th July 2026
Time: 3 PM ET / 12 AM PKT
Site: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Los Angeles
TV: Fox Sports (US)
Stage: Quarterfinals Winner plays France in the semifinal on July 14, Arlington, Texas Spain vs Belgium World Cup 2026
Follow USANewsPoint.blog for live score updates and full match review as Spain and Belgium square off for a spot in the World Cup semifinals tonight!
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Sarah Williams is a sports news reporter covering all major American sports including NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL. With 4 years of experience in sports journalism, Sarah specializes in breaking news, trending stories, and exclusive sports updates. Her fast-paced reporting style keeps sports fans informed and engaged. Sarah is a core member of the USA News Point editorial team.
