This Friday, Spain and Belgium will face off at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, vying for a coveted spot in the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup. The quarterfinal clash promises high stakes as both teams aim for glory.
The match is set for a noon kickoff local time (3:00 PM in Cuba) and will be officiated by English referee Michael Oliver.
The victor will go on to challenge France in the semifinals. France secured their place with a 2-0 victory over Morocco on Thursday at the Gillette Stadium in Boston, with goals from Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé.
Spain's Journey to the Quarterfinals
Spain arrives at this stage as one of the tournament's most reliable teams. They topped Group H with seven points, triumphing over Saudi Arabia (4-0) and Uruguay (1-0), and drawing 0-0 with Cape Verde.
In the knockout rounds, under the guidance of Luis de la Fuente, Spain has been relentless. They dominated Austria 3-0 in the round of 16, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring twice and Pedro Porro adding another goal. A tense Iberian classic against Portugal saw them win 1-0, courtesy of a decisive goal by Mikel Merino at AT&T Stadium.
The Spanish attack boasts a blend of experience and youthful energy. The offensive trio of Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Oyarzabal has consistently troubled opponents throughout the tournament.
Belgium's Resilient Path
Meanwhile, Belgium's journey has been marked by resilience and determination. Managed by Domenico Tedesco, the Red Devils staged a dramatic comeback against Senegal in Seattle, overturning a 0-2 deficit with late goals from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans, the latter scoring twice, including a penalty in extra time to clinch a 3-2 victory.
Belgium then thrashed the United States 4-1 in the round of 16 at Seattle's Lumen Field, with Charles De Ketelaere netting twice, and additional goals from Hans Vanaken and Lukaku. This win eliminated all three host countries—United States, Mexico, and Canada—from the quarterfinals.
Romelu Lukaku, currently with Napoli, has become Belgium's all-time top scorer in World Cup history during this tournament. He remains the key offensive threat as Belgium prepares to face Spain.
This showdown between Spain and Belgium will determine the semifinal matchups. The winner will face France, with the chance to become the first finalist of the 2026 World Cup, which extends until July 19.
Key Questions about the Spain vs. Belgium Quarterfinal
What time does the Spain vs. Belgium match start?
The match kicks off at 12:00 PM local time in California, which is 3:00 PM in Cuba.
Who will the winner of Spain vs. Belgium face in the semifinals?
The winner will advance to face France in the semifinals.
Which team eliminated the United States from the World Cup?
Belgium eliminated the United States with a 4-1 victory in the round of 16.