Spain vs Belgium brings another chapter to a World Cup rivalry that has been dormant for decades. Meeting in Los Angeles with a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals at stake, Spain and Belgium face each other for the third time on football’s biggest stage. Their previous two meetings ended with one win apiece, setting up a decisive rubber match.
Spain arrives after knockout victories over Austria and Portugal, while Belgium battled past Senegal before defeating the United States. With both teams unbeaten through the tournament, another fiercely contested European showdown awaits in Los Angeles.
Spain vs Belgium: What’s at Stake in Los Angeles
What is at stake in Spain vs Belgium at the 2026 World Cup? Spain and Belgium meet in Los Angeles with a coveted place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals on the line. Both nations have reached this stage unbeaten, making it one of the standout quarter-final ties of the tournament.
Spain are chasing their first World Cup semi-final since winning the trophy in 2010. Luis de la Fuente’s side has impressed with disciplined defending and a balanced attack, conceding no goals while eliminating Austria and Portugal.
Belgium has different ambitions. The Red Devils are seeking to match or better their best-ever World Cup finish after claiming third place in 2018. Rudi Garcia’s team has shown resilience in the knockout rounds, recovering against Senegal before comfortably defeating the United States.
Victory would move either side within one win of the World Cup final. Defeat, however, would end the title hopes of two European contenders who entered the tournament among the favourites.
Spain’s Journey to the Quarter Final Explained
How did Spain reach the quarter-final at the 2026 World Cup? Spain recovered quickly after opening their campaign with a goalless draw against Cape Verde. Luis de la Fuente’s side responded with a dominant 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia before edging Uruguay 1-0 to finish top of their group.
Momentum carried into the knockout stage. Spain swept aside Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32 before defeating Portugal 1-0 in a tense Iberian derby. Mikel Merino’s stoppage-time winner settled the contest, while Spain recorded a sixth consecutive clean sheet at the tournament.
Attention now turns to Belgium in Los Angeles, where La Roja will aim to continue their unbeaten run and secure a place in the World Cup semi-finals.
Spain’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Fixtures and Results
| Date | Fixture (Local KO Time) | Venue | Result |
| Monday, June 15 | Spain vs Cape Verde (12:00 PM ET) | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta | Draw 0-0 |
| Sunday, June 21 | Spain vs Saudi Arabia (12:00 PM ET) | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta | Spain won 4-0 |
| Friday, June 26 | Uruguay vs Spain (6:00 PM CST) | Estadio Akron, Zapopan | Spain won 1-0 |
| Thursday, July 2 | Spain vs Austria (12:00 PM PT) | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood | Spain won 3-0 |
| Monday, July 6 | Portugal vs Spain (2:00 PM CDT) | AT&T Stadium, Arlington | Spain won 1-0 |
| Friday, July 10 | Spain vs Belgium (12:00 PM PT) | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood | Quarter-final |
Belgium’s Road to the World Cup 2026 Quarter-Final
How did Belgium reach the quarter-final at the 2026 World Cup? Belgium advanced to the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals after finishing top of Group G with an unbeaten record. Rudi Garcia’s side opened with a 1-1 draw against Egypt before navigating their first-ever meeting with Iran.
A commanding 5-1 victory over New Zealand secured first place, with Leandro Trossard scoring twice and Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers also finding the net. Knockout football brought sterner tests. Belgium staged a remarkable comeback from two goals down to defeat Senegal 3-2 after extra time in the Round of 32, with Youri Tielemans converting a dramatic stoppage-time penalty.
Confidence continued to grow in the Round of 16 as Charles De Ketelaere struck twice in a convincing 4-1 victory over co-hosts the United States. Belgium now face Spain in Los Angeles, aiming to reach the World Cup semi-finals for the second time in three tournaments.
Spain vs Belgium Match Schedule: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles — Date, Kickoff and Venue
When and where is Spain vs Belgium at the 2026 World Cup? Spain and Belgium meet in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals on Friday, July 10, 2026, with a place in the last four at stake. The match will be played at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) in Inglewood, California, one of the tournament’s premier venues.
Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM (Noon) local time in Los Angeles. Fans in both Spain and Belgium can watch the quarter-final from 9:00 PM, making it a prime-time fixture across Europe.
| Match Detail | Information |
| Fixture | Spain vs Belgium |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup – Quarter-final |
| Date | Friday, July 10, 2026 |
| Venue | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) |
| Location | Inglewood, California, USA |
| Kickoff (Los Angeles) | 12:00 PM PT (Noon) |
| Kickoff (Spain) | 9:00 PM CEST |
| Kickoff (Belgium) | 9:00 PM CEST |
Spain vs Belgium: Tactical Matchup, Formation and Predicted Lineups
Spain and Belgium are expected to stick with their familiar 4-3-3 systems, setting up an intriguing midfield battle in Los Angeles. Much of the contest could hinge on whether Spain can control possession or Belgium can create chances through quick transitions.
Rodri remains the heartbeat of Spain’s midfield. His positioning protects the defence while allowing Pedri and Mikel Merino to push forward. Spain have conceded only two goals in five matches, a sign of how effectively Rodri shields the back line and controls the game’s rhythm.
Belgium’s big threat comes from Kevin de Bruyne.
The veteran playmaker will look to find pockets of space between Spain’s midfield and defence, with Jérémy Doku’s pace offering an outlet on the wing. Fast passing through midfield will be vital if Belgium hope to bypass Spain’s high press and create opportunities for Romelu Lukaku.
Predicted Lineups
| Spain (4-3-3) | Belgium (4-3-3) |
| Unai Simón | Thibaut Courtois |
| Pedro Porro | Timothy Castagne |
| Pau Cubarsí | Zeno Debast |
| Aymeric Laporte | Arthur Theate |
| Marc Cucurella | Maxim De Cuyper |
| Rodri | Youri Tielemans |
| Pedri | Amadou Onana |
| Mikel Merino | Kevin De Bruyne |
| Lamine Yamal | Jérémy Doku |
| Mikel Oyarzabal | Romelu Lukaku |
| Nico Williams | Leandro Trossard |
Predicted starting XIs. Official lineups will be confirmed before kickoff.
How to Watch Spain vs Belgium World Cup Match
Where can you watch Spain vs Belgium live? Fans can watch Spain vs Belgium live on FOX, with kickoff coverage available across the United States. The quarter-final will also be streamed through FOX One and the FOX Sports App, where viewers can follow the match live or watch it on demand.
FOX One offers additional viewing features, including multiview options, live match statistics, key moments and personalized viewing settings throughout the game.
For fans who prefer streaming services, the match is also available on Fubo. Spanish-language coverage will be provided by Telemundo, while Peacock will carry the live Spanish broadcast online.
| Platform | Coverage |
| FOX | Live TV broadcast |
| FOX One | Live stream and on-demand |
| FOX Sports App | Live streaming |
| Fubo | Live streaming |
| Telemundo | Spanish-language TV coverage |
| Peacock | Spanish-language live stream |
Spain vs Belgium Head-to-Head
What is the head-to-head record between Spain and Belgium? Spain enters the quarter-final with a strong historical record against Belgium. Across 22 previous meetings, La Roja have held the upper hand and remain unbeaten in the fixture.
Several of Spain’s biggest wins came during World Cup qualifying. They recorded a 5-0 home victory in 2009, followed by a 2-1 away win in 2008.
Spain also claimed 2-0 victories in both 2004 and 2005, reinforcing their dominance in competitive meetings.
Their most recent encounter came in an international friendly in September 2016, when Spain secured a 2-0 victory on Belgian soil. The teams have also met twice at the FIFA World Cup. Belgium won the 1986 quarter-final on penalties after a 1-1 draw, while Spain responded four years later with a 2-1 victory in the 1990 group stage.
Those results leave their World Cup meetings level at one win apiece, adding another layer of intrigue as they meet for a third time on football’s biggest stage.
How Spain and Belgium Fans Can Back Their Teams With $SPAIN and $BELG on Socios.com
How can Spain and Belgium fans support their teams during the 2026 World Cup? Supporters can follow their national teams throughout the tournament with the $SPAIN and $BELG Fan Tokens™ on Socios.com. The $SPAIN Fan Token launched on June 16, 2026, while $BELG became available on June 3, 2026, giving fans a new way to engage with their teams during the World Cup.
Holders who stake their Fan Tokens™ before kickoff are eligible for a Match Win Bonus whenever their team wins. As Spain and Belgium continue their knockout campaigns, fans can also take part in exclusive polls, earn digital rewards, compete for signed merchandise, and unlock unique experiences available through the platform.
With a place in the World Cup semi-finals on the line, supporters can back their favourite side both on and off the pitch. Fans can visit the official $SPAIN and $BELG profiles on Socios.com to learn more about available rewards, staking opportunities and matchday campaigns during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Conclusion
Spain and Belgium are now just one victory away from the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals, but only one can keep the dream alive. Belgium are chasing their first appearance in the last four since 2018, while Spain hope to return to the semi-finals for the first time since lifting the World Cup in 2010.
Fans can follow every moment of the journey and support their teams through the $SPAIN and $BELG Fan Tokens™ by visiting Socios.com for matchday rewards, staking opportunities and exclusive fan experiences.