Spain vs Belgium - World Cup

All eyes turn to the home ground on July 10, 2026 as Spain welcome Belgium in a World Cup encounter that promises tension, intrigue and no shortage of subplot. The 74-year-old Hoops boss admitted that "it'll be a bit strange not having the (Celtic) fans in but I'm nervously and excitedly looking forward to it; it's a great fixture" and also spoke about the police visit.

Both Spain and Belgium will be eager to build momentum when they meet in World Cup. Spain will be keen to seize the initiative and build some momentum on home soil. The visitors will travel in the hope that a change of scene can spark a turnaround, whatever the form book says. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player On Sunday, there was the opportunity to attend another thriller as Augsburg went top of the table.

The tactical battle could prove decisive. Spain may lean on their home advantage to dictate the tempo, but Belgium have shown they can be dangerous when allowed to play on their own terms. They were slightly found out against Amorim's Milan in pre-season, with the press not quite sharp enough - the fourth goal, in particular, came from just one ball over a high-lined defence.

Neither side is short on individuals capable of tilting the balance, and the duel between the two squads' chief creators could prove particularly pivotal. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. United's talented defender Godwill Kukonki is back in training and is not set to leave the club on a permanent transfer in the summer window.

With the sides closely matched, the outcome may well hinge on which team takes its chances on the day. The signals point towards a stalemate, with the two sides closely matched across form and standings. A 1-1 draw is easy to envisage. The result at the home ground could resonate well beyond matchday in the World Cup picture. A more central role appears likely given the sale of Youri Tielemans to Manchester United and the anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered by Amadou Onana at the World Cup.