Belgium and Senegal meet in the last-32 of the 2026 World Cup hoping to keep their tournaments going on Wednesday at 9pm (UK time).
Belgium finished top of their group as expected but it was a laboured campaign. The Red Devils won just one of their three games, and that was their final match to seal top spot. They opened the group stage with a 1-1 draw with Egypt, before a goalless stalemate against Iran. But a 5-1 win over New Zealand was enough to see Belgium finish top of Group B, ahead of Egypt on goal difference.
Senegal, meanwhile, qualified for the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed sides. They were placed in a tough group alongside France and Norway, as well as Iraq. The Lions of Teranga opened the World Cup with successive defeats, losing 3-1 to Senegal and 3-2 to Norway. But the smaller margins of defeats helped, alongside a 5-0 win over Iraq in the final game. Senegal were the lowest-ranked third-placed side to make it to the knockout stages, thanks to their +2 goal difference.
This will be the first meeting between these two sides.
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Belgium vs Senegal team news
Belgium team news
Rudi Garcia may be tempted to name a starting lineup to the win against New Zealand, after Belgium’s success. Jeremy Doku immediately returned to the starting XI and will continue in the attack. He’ll be joined by Kevin De Bruyne and Leandro Trossard, with Charles De Ketelaere leading the line. Garcia has his favourite players, and a core that have started all three matches so far.
There is a question of who will partner Youri Tielemans in the double pivot. Garcia has tried Amadou Onana, Nicolas Raskin and Hans Vanaken in the midfield, with the latter getting the nod last time out. Raskin may start, having found favour under Garcia.
Nathan Ngoy is available again after suspension after his red card in the second game against Iran. He should return to the starting XI as part of the first-choice centre-back pairing alongside Brandon Mechele. Timothy Castagne may drop out at right-back for Thomas Meunier, who was rested, with Maxim De Cuyper staying on the left. Thibaut Courtois will start in goal.
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Senegal team news
Pape Thiaw made the bold decision to not start Kalidou Koulibaly against Iraq, amid calls to drop the captain. But he was likely only being rested in a semi-changed starting lineup. So Koulibaly should return to partner Moussa Niakhate at centre-back. There should also be a return for El Hadji Malick Diouf on the left side of the defence, with Krepin Diatta continuing on the right. Edouard Mendy is still a doubt through injury, so Mory Diaw may continue in goal.
This game could see a complete reversion to the starting lineup from Senegal’s first two matches — Mendy aside. Despite their win last time out, Thiaw has a favoured starting XI that he will trust to put up a fight against the bigger teams. So Pape Gueye should return to the midfield trio, alongside Lamine Camara and Idrissa Gueye — both of whom started last time out.
Ismaila Sarr led the line against Iran and scored, but he should return to the right wing for this game. Nicolas Jackson is likely to return at striker, with Sadio Mane on the left.
Belgium vs Senegal predicted lineups
Belgium (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Meunier, Mechele, Ngoy, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Raskin; Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard; De Ketelaere
Senegal (4-3-3): Diaw; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Diouf; P Gueye, I Gueye, Camara; I Sarr, Jackson, Mane.
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