Spain and Belgium will meet at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Friday, as both nations compete for a place in the 2026 World Cup semifinals.
Spain reached the quarterfinals after a late 1-0 win over Portugal, while Belgium advanced after an impressive 4-1 victory over the United States.
Verdict: Spain to win
Best odds: 8/13
Bookmaker: 1xbet
Spain enters this quarterfinal as one of the strongest remaining sides at the tournament. Luis de la Fuente’s team has looked mature, organized and extremely difficult to break down, and it arrives here after another controlled knockout display against Portugal.
That round-of-16 win was tight, but it also showed Spain’s strength. Portugal frustrated La Roja for long spells, yet Spain stayed patient and found the decisive moment through Mikel Merino in stoppage time. Ferran Torres also came off the bench to assist the winner, which underlined the squad depth available to De la Fuente.
Spain’s structure remains its biggest advantage. Rodri and Pedri can control midfield, the back line has looked calm under pressure, and Lamine Yamal gives the team a direct one-on-one threat from wide areas. Spain does not need to rush matches because it usually has enough technical quality to create chances as the game develops.
Belgium’s transition threat will test Spain more than most opponents have. De Ketelaere, Doku, Trossard and Lukaku can all cause problems if Spain leaves space behind the defensive line. Still, Spain has been the more reliable team across the tournament, and its ability to control territory should be decisive.
Luis de la Fuente has some selection questions in attack. Yeremy Pino and Nico Williams are doubts after missing recent matches, while Victor Munoz has returned to training but is yet to feature at the tournament.
Unai Simon should continue in goal, with Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella likely to make up the defensive line. Spain’s defensive consistency has been one of the biggest reasons behind its run to the quarterfinals.
Rodri and Pedri should remain central to the midfield plan. Their control of possession and ability to resist pressure will be vital against a Belgium side that wants to press higher after its success against the United States.
Further forward, Lamine Yamal, Mikel Merino, Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal are strong candidates to start. Oyarzabal has been one of Spain’s most productive attackers at the tournament, while Merino has strengthened his case after the late winner against Portugal.
Belgium enters this match with renewed belief after its best performance of the tournament. Rudi Garcia’s side beat the United States 4-1 in Seattle, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice and Belgium showing far more energy than it had earlier in the competition.
That performance changed the mood around Belgium. Garcia made bold selection calls, leaving Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Romelu Lukaku on the bench, and the reshaped team looked sharper, faster and more aggressive without the ball.
The question is whether Belgium can repeat that level against Spain. The United States gave Belgium space and made several defensive mistakes, but Spain is unlikely to be as generous. Belgium will need to be more precise in transition and much more disciplined without the ball.
There is enough quality to make this dangerous. Courtois remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world, De Bruyne and Doku are available if Garcia wants to change the rhythm, while Lukaku gives Belgium a strong late option if the match becomes stretched.
Amadou Onana is out after suffering a serious knee injury against the United States. His absence is a major blow because Belgium needs midfield strength and athleticism against Spain’s possession game.
Zino Debast is back in training, which gives Garcia another defensive option. Belgium will need depth at the back because Spain can wear opponents down over 90 minutes.
Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Romelu Lukaku are all available, but Garcia may again be tempted to use some of them from the bench. The tactical shift worked against the United States, so the coach has a real decision to make.
Charles De Ketelaere should be heavily involved after his two-goal performance in the previous round. His movement as a central forward gave Belgium a different attacking shape and could keep him in the starting lineup.
Belgium is dangerous enough to make this uncomfortable. Garcia’s tactical changes worked well against the United States, and De Ketelaere’s form gives Belgium a fresh attacking route. If Doku or De Bruyne enters against tired legs, Spain will need to manage the final stages carefully.
Spain still looks like the better pick. De la Fuente’s side has been more consistent, more controlled and more reliable defensively. It also has the patience to handle tight knockout matches, as the Portugal win showed.
Belgium can compete, but Onana’s absence weakens its midfield at exactly the wrong time. Spain should have more of the ball, more control of the tempo and enough attacking quality to find the decisive goal inside 90 minutes.
Verdict: Spain to win
Best odds: 8/13
Bookmaker: 1xbet
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