Spain vs Belgium prediction 10.07.2026 | FIFA World Cup

Spain make the trip to California after edging past Portugal in a tense Iberian derby contest earlier this week. 

Luis de la Fuente’s side booked their place in the final eight with a 1:0 win in Arlington, with Mikel Merino stepping off the bench to bag a late winner at AT&T Stadium.

While not quite reaching the levels of their comfortable 3:0 win against Austria in the round of sixteen, the Spanish had the better of a tight contest in Texas.

La Roja remain one of the toughest sides to beat in international football, with a strong defence the basis for a superb unbeaten run. Spain have won or drawn each of their last 31 matches, while they have kept clean sheets in all five games played at this World Cup.

Head coach De la Fuente has no reported injury issues, and is likely to retain confidence in much of the side that edged past Portugal.

Mikel Merino could earn a recall after his goalscoring substitute appearance in Texas.

Belgium arrive in Los Angeles in high spirits after a superb win against USA in the round of 16.

Rudi Garcia’s side claimed a commanding 4:1 victory against the co-hosts, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice before Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku secured a dominant victory in Seattle.

While largely written off before the tournament, the Belgians have now qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals for the third time in four editions.

More recently, Belgium have built up an impressive 18-game unbeaten run but now face a serious step-up in class against the European champions. 

Head coach Garcia made several bold selection calls against the USA with Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Lukaku all benched, while De Ketelaere impressed in a central attacking role.

The Belgium boss will be forced into one change to his selection this weekend, though. Amadou Onana has been ruled out of the World Cup after picking up a serious knee injury against the USA. Hans Vanaken is expected to deputise.