France vs Belgium - UEFA Nations League

France prepare to host Belgium at the home ground on October 5, 2026, with both sides eager to assert their credentials and claim a result that could define their UEFA Nations League season. The sheer joy on the 18-year-old defender’s face resonated with Paul Schaffran back at the academy.

Both France and Belgium will be eager to build momentum when they meet in UEFA Nations League. The hosts will hope that the the home ground crowd can inspire a performance, whatever the numbers suggest. The visitors will back themselves to cause problems and will not make the trip expecting an easy afternoon. If the recent winter window is anything to go off, meanwhile, United are once again unlikely to spend big for reinforcement half-way through the season.

The tactical subplot is compelling: France favour a possession-based game built on patience and control, while Belgium are happiest sitting deep and exploding forward on the counter — a classic contrast of philosophies. There is interest in adding another forward player who can play in one of those wide No 10 roles behind the striker in the 3-4-2-1 formation that Sage is expected to continue with at Selhurst Park.

Individual moments of quality could tip the balance. Both sides possess players capable of producing something out of nothing, and a single flash of brilliance may be all that separates them. The wide areas will be a key battleground, with full-backs and wingers on either side capable of swinging the contest one way or the other. Juventus are pushing ahead with negotiations for another versatile forward, with Manchester United now reportedly willing to discuss a temporary departure for Joshua Zirkzee.

With the sides closely matched, the outcome may well hinge on which team takes its chances on the day. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 1-1 draw feels like a fitting result. The ramifications of this result could ripple through the UEFA Nations League standings for weeks to come, regardless of who comes out on top. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Liverpool's midfield wasn't great last year but I expect Florian Wirtz to have a better season, 100 per cent.