Two teams that took the long way round to the 2026 World Cup knockouts now meet for the very first time. Belgium needed a big win just to top their group after two flat draws. Senegal needed an even bigger one, becoming the first side ever to reach the last 32 after losing their opening two games. Both found something in that final group match, and both arrive in Seattle with real momentum. Here is how to watch Belgium vs Senegal, the kick-off time where you are, the lineups and our prediction.
Kickoff is 4:00 PM ET on Wednesday, July 1 / 9:00 PM in the UK at Seattle Stadium, a 1pm local start. In the US it is on FS1 and Telemundo. In Britain it is free on ITV1, with streaming on ITVX.
Where to Watch Belgium vs Senegal
Free on ITV1 in the UK. In the US it is on FS1 and Telemundo.
Quick tip: in the UK this is free on ITV1 and ITVX. Our guide to watching the World Cup in the UK has every channel and time. In the US it is on FS1 with Telemundo in Spanish, plus Fubo and YouTube TV.
Belgium vs Senegal TV Channel and Live Stream
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IndiaWhat Time Is Belgium vs Senegal in Your City?
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Dakar (GMT)
London (BST)
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Doha (AST)When Does It Kick Off Where You Are?
Pick your country and we will do the maths.
The Road to the Round of 32
Belgium topped Group G with five points despite not winning either of their first two games. Senegal finished third in Group I with three points, becoming the first team ever to reach the knockouts after losing their opening two group games. Every final table is in our World Cup 2026 groups guide.
BelgiumSenegalThe winner advances to the Round of 16 to face the winner of USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, back in Seattle. If level after 90 minutes, the tie goes to extra time and, if needed, penalties.
Two Slow Starters Finally Find Their Feet
Belgium spent two group games looking like a team running out of golden generation. Flat draws with Egypt and Iran left them needing a big win on the final day, and they delivered one, hammering New Zealand 5-1 with Leandro Trossard scoring twice and creating more chances than anyone else in a World Cup group game since Miralem Pjanic back in 2014. Romelu Lukaku got in on the act too, a goal and an assist that took his tally to more World Cup goal involvements than any Belgian since 1966. Rudi Garcia will hope that performance, not the two before it, is the real Belgium.
Kevin De Bruyne, at 35 and still pulling the strings, brushed off criticism of the slow start by pointing out Belgium had chances to win those early games too. With Thibaut Courtois marshalling the defence and Jeremy Doku a constant outlet on the wing, there is genuine quality here when it clicks, the question is just whether it clicks again against a Senegal side who will not sit back and admire it.
Senegal have their own remarkable story. Beaten by France and then by Norway, courtesy of a Haaland brace, Pape Thiaw’s side needed a big win over Iraq just to sneak through as one of the best third-placed teams, and they got exactly that, five goals, with Papa Gueye scoring twice off the bench. Ismaila Sarr has been directly involved in four goals this tournament, and with Sadio Mane still dangerous in behind, this Senegal side can hurt anyone in transition. Edouard Mendy, who missed the Iraq game with a knee issue, is expected back in goal.
The worry for Senegal is that their goals have come with plenty conceded at the other end too, fourteen in three group games. Belgium’s midfield craft, De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans pulling strings, looks well suited to punishing exactly that kind of error. Senegal have also lost their last two World Cup knockout games without scoring, against Turkiye in 2002 and England in 2022, and will want to break that run here. This has the feel of an open, end-to-end game rather than a cagey one, and either side capable of pulling clear. We lean towards Belgium’s greater individual quality just about seeing them through, though do not be surprised if this one goes to extra time.
How They Might Line Up
Belgium have Nathan Ngoy available again after suspension, with Zeno Debast still a doubt on a leg issue. Senegal expect Edouard Mendy back in goal after a knee scare, with Papa Gueye pushing for a starting role after his double off the bench.
BELGIUM · Garcia · 4-2-3-1Courtois · Castagne, Mechele, Theate, De Cuyper · Tielemans, Vanaken · Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard · Lukaku
SENEGAL · Thiaw · 4-3-3Mendy · Diatta, Seck, Niakhate, Jakobs · I Gueye, P Gueye, Camara · Sarr, Jackson, Mane
Who Reaches the Last 16?
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A Word on Seattle Stadium
Better known as Lumen Field, home of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and MLS side Seattle Sounders, this venue goes by Seattle Stadium during the World Cup. Belgium already played here once, drawing 1-1 with Egypt in their opener, so this ground is familiar. There is more on it at Wikipedia.
There is no history to draw on here. Wednesday is the first ever meeting between Belgium and Senegal at any level, in any competition, which only adds to the intrigue.
Belgium vs Senegal: Quick Answers
What time does Belgium vs Senegal kick off?
4pm Eastern in the US, which is 1pm local in Seattle. In the UK it is 9pm BST, in Brussels 10pm, and in Dakar 8pm. The date is Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
What channel is Belgium vs Senegal on in the US?
FS1 has the English-language broadcast, with Telemundo in Spanish. You can also stream it via Fubo and YouTube TV.
Is Belgium vs Senegal free to watch in the UK?
Yes. It is live and free on ITV1, with free streaming via ITVX.
What happens if it is a draw after 90 minutes?
This is a knockout tie, so a draw means 30 minutes of extra time and then a penalty shootout if the teams are still level. The winner reaches the Round of 16; the loser is out.
Who does the winner play next?
The winner of Belgium vs Senegal advances to the Round of 16 to face the winner of USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, with that tie also played in Seattle.
Have Belgium and Senegal played each other before?
No. This is the first ever meeting between the two nations at any level, so there is no head-to-head history to lean on.
Why did Senegal nearly not qualify?
Senegal lost their opening two group games, to France and Norway, and needed a big win over Iraq just to squeeze through as one of the eight best third-placed teams. They are the first side in World Cup history to reach the knockouts after losing their first two group games.
What is the prediction?
We expect an open, entertaining game and lean towards a narrow Belgium win, around 2-1. Both defences have looked shaky, so goals at both ends, and even extra time, would not be a surprise.
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