The second World Cup 2026 quarter-final pits Spain against Belgium in Inglewood at 8pm on Friday 10th July.
Read on for the best Spain vs Belgium predictions, tips, and the latest team news ahead of kick-off.
Here’s how to claim your free bets with Win Beast:
1 Open an account here.
2 Deposit $10.
3 Bet $10 on football at min odds of 1/1 (2.00).
Get $50 in free bets after your bet settles
>>>Claim Your Free Bets Now <<<
Spain vs Belgium Preview
Spain may have struggled to find the breakthrough in their opening goalless draw against Cape Verde, but they responded with four straight wins to nil, becoming the first country in World Cup history to keep six successive clean sheets (including their final game in 2022).
Belgium’s route to the quarter-finals has been far more eventful. After opening with successive draws against Egypt and Iran, the Red Devils discovered their attacking spark with a 5-1 win over New Zealand before producing a remarkable comeback against Senegal in the round of 32. Trailing late on, Belgium struck in the 86th and 89th minute to force extra time before converting a dramatic 125th-minute penalty to progress. They then carried that momentum into the last 16, where they swept aside co-hosts the United States 4-1.
What’s at Stake
A place in the World Cup 2026 semi-finals is on the line as Spain and Belgium meet at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Spain, the 2010 world champions, are bidding to reach the last four for the first time since lifting the trophy in South Africa. Belgium, third-place finishers in 2018, are chasing what would be their best result since that remarkable run in Russia, and arrive in this quarter-final on the back of a 4-1 demolition of the United States in the round of sixteen.
Having scored 12 goals across their last three matches, Belgium will fancy their chances of breaching Spain’s stubborn defence. However, the bookmakers still make Spain the clear favourites at 8/13 to win in 90 minutes, with Belgium priced at 5/1 to pull off the upset, and the draw available at 3/1.
>>>Claim Your Free Bets Now <<<
Verdict
Spain are the well-justified favourites at 8/13, having won all four of their knockout and group matches that ended in a result, with a settled system under Luis de la Fuente that has conceded just twice in five World Cup fixtures. At 5/1, Belgium represents long odds for a side that hammered the tournament hosts in the last round, but Spain’s control in midfield and their superior tournament consistency make a home win the most credible outcome here.
Predicted Lineups
Spain Predicted XI (4-3-3): Unai Simon; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri, Mikel Merino; Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Nico Williams
Predicted XI – squads to be confirmed.
Belgium Predicted XI (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois; Timothy Castagne, Zeno Debast, Arthur Theate, Maxim De Cuyper; Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, Kevin De Bruyne; Jérémy Doku, Romelu Lukaku, Leandro Trossard
Predicted XI – squads to be confirmed.
>>>Claim Your Free Bets Now <<<
Key Tactical Matchup
The central battle that is likely to shape this World Cup 2026 quarter-final is the contest between Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne in the middle of the pitch. Rodri’s role as Spain’s defensive anchor, shielding the back four and dictating tempo from deep, is the platform from which everything else flows. De Bruyne, operating in a more advanced midfield role for Belgium, must find ways to receive the ball in between Spain’s lines and create moments of disorder. Spain have conceded just twice in five tournament matches, a record that reflects Rodri’s ability to compress space and cut off supply lines. If Belgium can move the ball quickly through midfield before Spain’s press engages, De Bruyne and Doku on the flank represent their most credible avenue to goal.
>>>Claim Your Free Bets Now <<<