Belgium vs Senegal Key Stats: FIFA World Cup 2026
by Trystan Pugh ·
Below you can find key stats for Belgium vs Senegal. From historical trends to player milestones, we have you covered for every match at FIFA World Cup 2026 in USA, Canada & Mexico!
- This is the first meeting between Belgium and Senegal.
- Belgium have lost only one of their six World Cup matches against African teams (W3 D2). They have never met CAF opposition in the knockout phase.
- Belgium are unbeaten in 16 international matches (W10 D6), since a 3-1 loss to Ukraine in the UEFA Nations League in March 2025.
- Belgium have won four of their last six matches in the knockout phase of the FIFA World Cup.
- Against New Zealand, Thibaut Courtois made his 18th appearance at the World Cup, breaking the Belgian record of 17 that he previously shared with Enzo Scifo. Kevin De Bruyne could join Scifo on 17 appearances in this fixture.
- Belgium are through to the knockout phase for the seventh time in their last nine participations.
- Belgium have only lost one of the 16 FIFA World Cup matches when leading at the interval (W11 D4). They are unbeaten in 15, since surrendering a 2-1 half time lead in a 5-2 defeat by Germany in 1934.
- Romelu Lukaku is now Belgium’s outright top scorer at the FIFA World Cup with six goals – moving clear of Marc Wilmots on five.
- Senegal have lost their last four FIFA World Cup matches against European opposition, a run that followed a strong early record in which they won three of their first five such games (D1 L1).
- Senegal have won one and lost two of their three FIFA World Cup knockout ties against UEFA opposition. They beat Sweden 2-1 after extra time in the 2002 Round of 16, before falling 1-0 in extra time to Türkiye in the quarter‑finals. Their most recent knockout outing was a 3-0 defeat to England in the 2022 Round of 16 — the only three knockout matches they have played in the competition.
- Against Iraq, Ismaïla Sarr became the first Senegalese player to clock up ten World Cup appearances, Idrissa Gueye and Kalidou Koulibaly could both reach the landmark in this fixture.
- With four goals, Ismaïla Sarr is now Senegal’s outright top goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history, moving clear of Papa Bouba Diop (three).
- Ismaïla Sarr has scored three goals across Senegal’s last two matches, becoming the first player to net in consecutive FIFA World Cup games for the nation.
- Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gueye began his career at Lille, where his first manager was Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia. Lille won the French league and cup double under Garcia in Gueye’s debut season (2010/11).
