Belgium vs Senegal Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Round of 32
Belgium found some attacking rhythm in their final game and the same can be said for a strong Senegal side as they move out of the group stages and into the Round of 32 at FIFA World Cup 2026.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / USA – FOX One
Belgium preview: Unconvincing Belgians
Belgium come into this one on the back of managing to top Group G on goal difference ahead of Egypt after they hammered New Zealand by five goals to one in Vancouver. A Leandro Trossard brace was followed up by goals scored by Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers to give the Belgians that much-needed victory.
It was so needed because their opening couple of games had been underwhelming. In their first game of the tournament, Belgium snatched a point against Egypt, courtesy of a Mohamad Hany own goal, before they then survived a clash with IR Iran with a goalless draw in Los Angeles, despite Nathan Ngoy being sent off with about half an hour to go.
Senegal preview: Finally finding their way through
Senegal also headed through to the knockout stages with a big win on the final matchday. The Lions of Teranga took advantage of Iraq going down to ten men early on to hammer the Iraqis by five goals to nil in Toronto, with Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye scoring an excellent brace in the second half to secure their spot as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
The reason that the African giants could only squeeze through as one of the third-placed teams is because they had began with defeats to France and Norway. They had been quite entertaining to watch and more than competitive in both of those games before succumbing to a 3-1 defeat against the French and then a 3-2 loss to the Norwegians.
Belgium team news: Gambling on Doku and Lukaku
Rudi Garcia has said that Jeremy Doku and Romelu Lukaku wouldn’t be available for the full game against New Zealand but he started the former and again brought the latter off the bench, and he again made an impact as he scored their fourth.
Nathan Ngoy has returned from suspension and is expected to come back into the eleven, with fellow defender Zeno Debast, of Sporting CP, remaining a doubt due to a leg injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Vanaken; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; Lukaku
Unavailable:
Questionable: Debast (Injured)
Senegal team news: Big calls by Thiaw
Senegal have made a big call at the back with captain Kalidou Koulibaly dropped against Iraq, while another key member of their experienced spine, Edouard Mendy, having been ruled out due to injury.
Pape Thiaw also made the decision that Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr, off the back of an excellent scoring season at Selhurst Park, should be deployed up front with Nicolas Jackson dropping out in order to accommodate Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye. Pape Gueye is also pushing for a start.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Diaw; Diatta, Seck, Niakhate, Jakobs; P. Gueye, Camara, I. Gueye; Mbaye, I. Sarr, Mane
Unavailable: Mendy (Injured)
Questionable:
Belgium’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Thibaut Courtois ($4.9m) – Goalkeeper
Jeremy Doku ($7.5m) – Midfielder
Kevin De Bruyne ($7.5m) – Midfielder
Matchday 4 captain pick: Jeremy Doku
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne
Free kicks: Kevin De Bruyne
Corners: Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans
Senegal’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Sadio Mane ($7.6m) – Midfielder
Pape Gueye ($5.9m) – Midfielder
Ismaila Sarr ($6.2m) – Forward
Matchday 4 captain pick: Ismaila Sarr
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Sadio Mane
Free kicks: Sadio Mane
Corners: Sadio Mane, Krepin Diatta
Key stats
- This is the first meeting between Belgium and Senegal.
- Belgium are unbeaten in 16 international matches (W10 D6), since a 3-1 loss to Ukraine in the UEFA Nations League in March 2025.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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).
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Belgium vs Senegal prediction
Rudi Garcia has had an up-and-down managerial career, and that has been the case in charge of Belgium. The Belgians have played some reasonable football at times but there is a lack of real speed and incision - almost unaware of what they want to do in the final third, up until playing against a poor side in New Zealand.
Senegal have a lot more identity and purpose to the way in which they play, and they will believe they can control the game in the middle of the park while also proving to be stubborn enough against an underwhelming Belgian side.
Many may still see it as a shock but it may actually be a surprise if Senegal don’t knock Belgium out here, with Pape Thiaw’s side looking a more rounded outfit than their European opponents.
Belgium vs Senegal betting tip: Senegal to win
