Match Overview and Team Form
Belgium is set to face Senegal in a FIFA World Cup knockout stage match in Seattle on Wednesday. The game is scheduled for 9 PM BST on July 1, 2026. Belgium advanced as winners of Group G, while Senegal secured their spot from Group I as the eighth-best third-place team.
Looking at their recent FIFA World Cup performances, Belgium won against New Zealand with a score of 5-1 and had a goalless draw against Iran. They also drew against Egypt. In friendly matches, Belgium won against Tunisia and Croatia.
Senegal, on the other hand, won against Iraq in the FIFA World Cup. They experienced losses against Norway and France in the FIFA World Cup. In friendly matches, Senegal drew with Saudi Arabia and lost to the United States.
Squad News and Tactical Considerations
Belgium‘s head coach, Rudi Garcia, is preparing for the knockout tie. Defender Debast, who sustained a leg injury earlier in May, returned to training on Sunday after positive MRI scan results. While he was included in the 26-man squad, he was expected to miss the group stage. It is considered unlikely that Debast will start against Senegal, but his return to training offers a boost to the team.
The initial centre-back pairing for Belgium in the World Cup was Brandon Mechele and Nathan Ngoy in Debast‘s absence. However, Arthur Theate was brought in for the match against New Zealand after Ngoy was sent off in the draw with Iran. Garcia is not expected to make many changes to the starting lineup that played against New Zealand, with Thibaut Courtois confirmed to start in goal.
In defence, Thomas Meunier was swapped with Timothy Castagne at right-back against New Zealand, and Maxim De Cuyper played on the left side. The midfield has seen changes, with Nicolas Raskin replacing Amadou Onana alongside captain Youri Tielemans, before Hans Vanaken then took Raskin‘s place. The attacking lineup against New Zealand featured Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, Leandro Trossard, and Charles De Ketelaere. Alexis Saelemaekers and Romelu Lukaku, who both scored as substitutes against New Zealand, had replaced Doku and De Ketelaere in a previous match.
There is ongoing discussion among Belgium fans regarding whether De Ketelaere or Lukaku should lead the attack. Lukaku, the country’s all-time leading goalscorer, is considered by some to be best utilized off the bench due to a club season impacted by injuries, limiting his appearances. The predicted Belgium starting XI includes Courtois; Castagne, Mechele, Theate, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Vanaken; Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard; and De Ketelaere.
Anticipation for the Knockout Stage
This match marks the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup. For some of Belgium‘s experienced players, this tournament represents a significant opportunity to leave their mark. Key performances are anticipated from players like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.
Belgium‘s journey through the group stage was described as challenging despite being in an accessible group, while Senegal navigated a tough group to advance. The match will be broadcast on ITV, with kick-off scheduled for 9 PM BST on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
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Source: bbc.com
