Belgium lineup prediction vs Spain: World Cup starting XI projection

After a less-than-promising jaunt through the group stage at the 2026 World Cup, Belgium appears to have hit its stride in the knockout rounds.

Well, it took more than 80 minutes in the round of 32 win over Senegal to get going. Down 2-0, Belgium scored two goals to force extra time, where it prevailed 3-2 in a thriller. The Red Devils kept that momentum going in a 4-1 win over the United States in the round of 16. Now, Belgium will hope to keep its surge going against Spain, the reigning European champion, in the quarterfinals.

Belgium projected starting lineup vs. Spain

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia opted for an athletic starting XI against the United States in the round of 16. This configuration meant that longtime national team star Kevin De Bruyne did not start. Neither did Jérémy Doku or Romelu Lukaku, Belgium's all-time leading goal-scorer. Both Doku and Lukaku came in as second-half substitutions, and the latter scored a goal to put an exclamation point on an emphatic win over the hosts. De Bruyne, meanwhile, did not get into the round of 16 match at all and will be well-rested for the showdown against Spain.

With Amadou Onana out with an injury, expect Garcia to compensate with a different starting XI than he utilized against the U.S.

• Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
• Defenders: Maxim De Cuyper, Nathan Ngoy, Brandon Mechele, Timothy Castagne
• Midfielders: Youri Tielemans, Hans Vanaken, Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, Leandro Trossard
• Forwards: Charles De Ketelaere

De Ketelaere scored two goals in the win over the USA, and this lineup will give Garcia the option to bring Lukaku off the bench in the second half to provide an additional offensive spark.

Where to watch Belgium vs Spain World Cup quarterfinal: TV, live streaming

The Belgium vs. Spain match on July 10 will be broadcast nationally on FOX, with Spanish-language coverage available via Telemundo. The game can be live streamed through FOX One, Peacock (Spanish-language) and Fubo.

Watch World Cup matches on Fubo

• Date: Friday, July 10
• Time: 3 p.m. ET
• TV: FOX, Telemundo
• Stream: FOX One, Peacock, Fubo
• Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)

Belgium 2026 World Cup schedule

Here's a look at Belgium's results in the World Cup to this point and the schedule that lies ahead if it wins against Spain:

• June 15: Belgium 1, Egypt 1
• June 21: Belgium 0, Iran 0
• June 26: Belgium 5, New Zealand 1
• July 1: Belgium 3, Senegal 2
• July 6: Belgium 4, USA 1
• July 10: Belgium vs. Spain (SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California)
• July 14:Belgium-Spain winner vs. France (AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas)

Belgium 2026 World Cup roster

Goalkeepers: ⁠Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Mike Penders (Racing Strasbourg)

Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Zeno Debast (Sporting Lisbon), Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton & Hove Albion), Koni De Winter (AC Milan), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Thomas Meunier (Lille), Nathan Ngoy (Lille), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge), Arthur ⁠Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Midfielders: ​Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli), Amadou Onana (Aston Villa), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri ​Tielemans (Aston Villa), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Girona)

Forwards: Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Lille), Romelu Lukaku (Napoli), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Diego ​Moreira (Racing Strasbourg), Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Belgium lineup prediction vs Spain: World Cup starting XI projection