Spain vs Belgium is the big FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal on Friday, 10 July 2026. The match is being played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, with kick-off at 3 PM Eastern Time, which is midnight (12:00 AM Pakistan Standard Time on 11 July). This is a winner-takes-all clash, with a semifinal spot in Dallas on 14 July on the line.
Earlier today, France beat Morocco 2-0 at Gillette Stadium in Boston to reach the last four. Spain vs Belgium now decides who France will face in the semis.
Spain vs Belgium: Match Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Tournament | FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinal |
| Date | Friday, 10 July 2026 |
| Venue | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California |
| Kick-off (ET) | 3:00 PM |
| Kick-off (Pakistan) | Midnight, 12:00 AM (11 July) |
| Next round | Semifinal, AT&T Stadium, Dallas, 14 July |
How Spain Got Here
European champions Spain finished first in their group with seven points and are yet to concede a single goal after five matches, showing impressive defensive resilience against teams including Portugal and Austria along the way.
The Spanish began slowly with a goalless draw against surprise package Cape Verde, but they found their scoring boots with a 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia and then a 1-0 win against Uruguay, securing progress to the knockout stages.
In the Round of 16, substitute Mikel Merino found space in the 91st minute and slotted the decisive goal that eliminated Portugal, sending Spain through to the quarterfinals of the World Cup. It was tense, but Spain’s quality shone through at the end.
Spain arrive as the tournament’s most complete team, unbeaten and yet to concede a goal, led by 18-year-old Lamine Yamal and the European champions’ star-studded squad. Pakistani fans will know Yamal from his incredible Barcelona displays, and he has taken this World Cup by storm.
How Belgium Got Here
Belgium demolished the United States 4-1 in Seattle in what was arguably the most emphatic win by any team left in the tournament, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice and the overall performance raising real questions about whether this might actually be Belgium’s year.
The Red Devils also gave their fans a scare in the Round of 32 against Senegal, with a dramatic comeback from being 2-0 down with four minutes left to go. Goals from record goal-scorer Romelu Lukaku and then Youri Tielemans sent the game into extra time before Tielemans converted a penalty to win it.
Belgium bring the experience of their golden generation, with Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku still central, in a repeat of their 1986 World Cup quarterfinal meeting with Spain.
Key Players to Watch in Spain vs Belgium
- Lamine Yamal (Spain): The teenager made his World Cup debut and scored his first World Cup goal in group play. At just 18, he is already the tournament’s most exciting player.
- Mikel Merino (Spain): Spain needed a 91st-minute Merino substitute goal to beat Portugal 1-0. The Arsenal man is a super-sub who delivers when it matters most.
- Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium): De Bruyne should create chances and De Ketelaere should be involved, but Spain’s structure under Rodri has resisted everything thrown at it this tournament.
- Romelu Lukaku (Belgium): Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Thibaut Courtois are all expected to be playing their final World Cup. Lukaku will be desperate to sign off with a trophy.
Head to Head: Spain vs Belgium All-Time
Across seven recorded meetings, Spain have won six and drawn one, with Belgium yet to claim a victory. Spain have scored 16 goals to Belgium’s 3 in those encounters.
Belgium knocked Spain out on penalties in the 1986 quarterfinal, but Spain hit back with a 2-1 group-stage win in 1990. History strongly favours Spain, but Belgium will point to that 1986 win as proof they can do it again on the biggest stage.
Belgium’s Big Injury Worry
Amadou Onana’s absence matters hugely for Belgium: the holding midfielder suffered an ACL tear in the previous match and is out for the rest of the tournament. For Belgium, that is a major blow in the area where Rodri, Pedri and Dani Olmo cannot be given extra time on the ball. This could be the difference between the two sides tonight.
What the Rest of the Quarterfinal Schedule Looks Like
Spain vs Belgium is not the only massive match this week. Norway face England on Saturday, 11 July at 5 PM ET at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, and Argentina take on Switzerland the same night at 9 PM ET at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The winner of Spain vs Belgium advances to the semifinal in Dallas on July 14, where they will face the winner of France versus Morocco (France, having already won 2-0 today).
The World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Our Prediction for Spain vs Belgium
Spain are the clear favourites and with good reason. Spain have gone five wins and one draw across their last six matches, conceding just one goal in that run and keeping five clean sheets. Belgium’s attack is dangerous but against a team that has gone five straight matches without giving opponents clean looks at Unai Simon’s goal, they may need a near-perfect evening. We tip Spain to win, but expect Belgium to make it a proper fight.
For Pakistani fans, this one is worth staying up for. Set your alarm for midnight and enjoy one of the best Spain vs Belgium clashes in World Cup history.
For the official FIFA World Cup 2026 bracket and match centre, visit FIFA.com. You can also follow the full tournament history and format on Wikipedia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is Spain vs Belgium in Pakistan?
The Spain vs Belgium FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal kicks off at 3 PM Eastern Time on Friday, 10 July, which is midnight (12:00 AM) Pakistan Standard Time on the night of 10-11 July 2026.
Where is Spain vs Belgium being played?
The match is at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. It is one of the largest and most modern stadiums in the United States and can hold over 70,000 fans.
Who won France vs Morocco today?
France beat Morocco 2-0 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, in the first quarterfinal of the day. France advance to the semifinal in Dallas on 14 July.
What are the remaining FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals?
After Spain vs Belgium on 10 July, Norway face England and Argentina face Switzerland on 11 July. The two semifinals are on 14 and 15 July, and the final is on 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
