Spain and Belgium will meet this Friday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles in one of the most highly anticipated quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
At stake is a place in the semi-finals against France, who defeated Morocco 2-0, and an opportunity for La Roja to reach the World Cup semi-finals for only the second time since winning the title in 2010.
Unbeaten since the start of the tournament, Spain has gradually found its rhythm. After opening with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, Luis de la Fuente’s side went on to defeat Saudi Arabia (4-0), Uruguay (1-0) and Austria (3-0), before edging past Portugal 1-0 after extra time thanks to a goal from Mikel Merino.
La Roja has built its campaign on an exceptionally solid defense. Having kept six consecutive World Cup clean sheets, Spain has set a new record in the tournament’s history. Behind the outstanding Unai Simón, the Rodri-Pedri partnership continues to control the midfield, while Lamine Yamal remains one of Spain’s biggest attacking threats.
Belgium, meanwhile, heads into the clash with renewed confidence after improving steadily throughout the tournament. The Red Devils finished top of their group before eliminating Senegal 3-2 after extra time following a dramatic comeback, then cruising past the United States 4-1 in the Round of 16.
Head coach Rudi Garcia can rely on a squad packed with experience and talent. Kevin De Bruyne orchestrates the play, Youri Tielemans continues to deliver top-class performances, Thibaut Courtois provides reassurance between the posts, while Romelu Lukaku, Charles De Ketelaere, Leandro Trossard and Jérémy Doku form an attacking line capable of deciding any match.
The quarter-final will be officiated by English referee Michael Oliver. Spain remains unbeaten in its seven matches under Oliver, while Belgium has won both games officiated by the English referee.
The two teams have previously met twice at the FIFA World Cup. Belgium eliminated Spain in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup after a penalty shootout, before La Roja gained revenge four years later with a 2-1 victory in the group stage of the 1990 tournament. Overall, however, Spain holds the historical edge in the head-to-head record between the two nations, according to Euronews.