The irresistible force meets, well, another irresistible force. Spain arrive at this World Cup quarter-final without having conceded a single goal all tournament, unbeaten in 35 matches and installed among the favourites. Belgium arrive red-hot in attack, having put four past the co-hosts USA in the last round. Forty years on from the night Belgium knocked Spain out of the 1986 World Cup on penalties at this same stage, the two meet again in Los Angeles, with a semi-final against France waiting for the winner. Here is how to watch Spain vs Belgium, the kick-off time where you are, the lineups and our prediction.
Kickoff is 3:00 PM ET on Friday, July 10 / 8:00 PM in the UK at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, a noon local start on the West Coast. In the US it is on Fox. In Britain it is free on BBC One, with streaming on BBC iPlayer.
Where to Watch Spain vs Belgium
Free on BBC One in the UK. In the US it is on Fox.
Quick tip: in the UK this is free on BBC One and iPlayer, with coverage from 7:30pm ahead of the 8pm kick-off. Our guide to watching the World Cup in the UK has every channel and time. In the US it is on Fox with Telemundo in Spanish, plus Fubo and Peacock.
Spain vs Belgium TV Channel and Live Stream
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The Road to the Quarter-Finals
Spain won Group H without conceding and have looked increasingly convincing. Belgium took a chaotic route out of Group G but have peaked at just the right time. Every final group table is in our World Cup 2026 groups guide.
SpainBelgiumThe winner advances to the semi-finals in Dallas on July 14 to face France, who have already beaten Morocco. If level after 90 minutes, the tie goes to extra time and, if needed, penalties.
The Wall Against the Comeback Kings
Start with the number that defines Spain’s tournament: zero. Luis de la Fuente’s side have not conceded a single goal in five matches, becoming the first team to reach a World Cup quarter-final with a clean sheet intact since Italy in 1990. Behind a superb back four of Pau Cubarsi, Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella, they have built something formidable, and their unbeaten run now stretches to 35 games. It has not always been thrilling, a laboured 1-0 win over Portugal in the last 16 needed a Mikel Merino strike in the 91st minute, the goal that ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career, but Spain keep finding a way, and Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Rodri give them the quality to hurt anyone.
Belgium, by contrast, have been all drama. Two draws to start against Egypt and Iran left them staring at elimination, and they were 2-0 down to Senegal with minutes left in the Round of 32 before a stunning comeback and a Youri Tielemans winner deep into extra time. Then came the statement: a 4-1 demolition of the USA in the last 16, Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice, a third straight game with three or more goals. Leandro Trossard has emerged as the leader of their attack, and Romelu Lukaku remains a potent impact substitute, but the tournament has cost them dearly, with Amadou Onana ruled out for the rest of the World Cup after tearing an ACL against the USA.
There is a fascinating subplot in Belgium’s midfield. Kevin De Bruyne, their biggest name, has endured a poor tournament and been left out, and the team has visibly looked more compact and dynamic without him. Both the Senegal comeback and the USA rout came with him off the pitch. Yet it feels inconceivable that Rudi Garcia would leave him out of a World Cup quarter-final, and how Belgium balance their best player against their best shape may decide their night. Thibaut Courtois, for his part, insists an upset is on: the Belgium goalkeeper says his squad believes it can be one of the tournament’s surprises.
History between the sides is thin at World Cups, just the 1986 quarter-final Belgium won on penalties and a 1990 group game Spain won 2-1, with Spain leading their overall record comfortably. On current form, Spain’s control and defensive solidity make them clear favourites, and their ability to strangle games suits a knockout tie perfectly. But Belgium are peaking, carry genuine threat in transition, and have the kind of match-winners who can punish even the meanest defence. We lean towards Spain edging it and setting up that mouthwatering semi-final with France, though Belgium’s recent habit of drama means nobody should switch off early.
How They Might Line Up
Spain report no injuries and de la Fuente is expected to name his settled, in-form side. Belgium are without the injured Amadou Onana, out for the tournament with an ACL tear, and must decide whether to restore Kevin De Bruyne to a midfield that has thrived without him.
SPAIN · De la Fuente · 4-2-3-1Simon · Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella · Rodri, Pedri · Yamal, Olmo, Baena · Oyarzabal
BELGIUM · Garcia · 4-2-3-1Courtois · Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper · Vanaken, Tielemans · Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard · De Ketelaere
Who Reaches the Semi-Finals?
Spain's watertight defence, or can Belgium pull off the upset Courtois says is coming? Sign up on Vatan in seconds and back your call on this quarter-final.
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A Word on Los Angeles Stadium
Better known as SoFi Stadium, home of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, this Inglewood venue is known as Los Angeles Stadium during the World Cup. One of the newest and most expensive stadiums in the world, it hosted Super Bowl LVI and will feature at the 2028 Olympics. There is more on it at Wikipedia.
Spain lead the overall record, but the two World Cup meetings are split. Belgium famously won the 1986 quarter-final on penalties after a 1-1 draw, before Spain gained revenge with a 2-1 win in the 1990 group stage. This is their first World Cup meeting since.
Spain vs Belgium: Quick Answers
What time does Spain vs Belgium kick off?
3pm Eastern in the US, which is noon local in Los Angeles. In the UK it is 8pm BST, and in Madrid and Brussels it is 9pm. The date is Friday, July 10, 2026.
What channel is Spain vs Belgium on in the US?
Fox has the broadcast, with Telemundo in Spanish. You can also stream it via Fubo and Peacock.
Is Spain vs Belgium free to watch in the UK?
Yes. It is live and free on BBC One, with free streaming via BBC iPlayer, with coverage from 7:30pm BST.
Have Spain conceded any goals at this World Cup?
No. Spain have not conceded a single goal in five matches, becoming the first team to reach a World Cup quarter-final with a clean sheet intact since Italy in 1990.
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, exactly how Belgium beat Spain at this stage back in 1986.
Who does the winner play next?
The winner of Spain vs Belgium advances to the semi-finals in Dallas on July 14 to face France, who have already beaten Morocco in their quarter-final.
Is Kevin De Bruyne playing for Belgium?
He is expected to. De Bruyne has had a poor tournament and Belgium have looked better without him, but it would be a major call for Rudi Garcia to leave his biggest name out of a World Cup quarter-final.
What is the prediction?
We lean towards Spain, around 2-1, given their watertight defence and superior control. Belgium are peaking and dangerous in transition, though, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois insists an upset is coming.
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