Belgium will host Wales in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers on Monday, looking to bounce back from the disappointing draw against North Macedonia.
Belgium were held to a 1-1 draw in their last World Cup qualifier, and they will look to bounce back strongly vs Wales at the King Baudouin Stadium on Monday. The Red Devils would have expected to pick up a win over the last opposition, and it remains to be seen whether they can raise their performance levels and get the job done here.
Meanwhile, Wales have done quite well in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, so far with two wins and a draw from three matches. The Dragons are unbeaten in the last six matches in all competitions, and they will certainly fancy their chances of getting something out of this contest.
Belgium, on the other hand, have lost four of the last six matches. It remains to be seen whether they can get their World Cup qualifier campaign back on track with a positive result at home. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Belgium
Rudi Garcia does not have any major injury problems, heading into this game, and he should be able to field a full-strength lineup. Matz Sels will start in goal, as Belgium shape up in a 4-3-3 formation vs Wales on Monday.
Thomas Meunier and Maxim De Cuyper will start as the full-backs, and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. At the heart of the defence, Wout Faes will start alongside Zeno Debast.
As for the midfield unit, Kevin De Bruyne will add creativity to the side alongside Amadou Onana, who will look to break down opposition attacking moves. Youri Tielemans will add control and composure alongside them. Romelu Lukaku will lead the line for Belgium vs Wales, with Jeremy Doku and Charles De Ketelaere on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Sels; Meunier, Faes, Debast, De Cuyper; De Bruyne, Onana, Tielemans; De Ketelaere, Lukaku, Doku
Wales
Neco Williams was forced off with an ankle injury against Liechtenstein, and he is set to miss out. Wales will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Belgium, with Karl Darlow as the goalkeeper.
Connor Roberts and Jay Dasilva will start as the full-backs. They will look to keep things compact defensively and hit Belgium on the break. The central defensive unit should see Joe Rodon starting alongside Ben Davies.
As for the midfield unit, Ethan Ampadu will start alongside Josh Sheehan in the double pibot. They will look to break down the opposition’s attacking moves and win the ball back for their side.
Harry Wilson will start in the attacking midfield role, and he will look to link the midfield with the attack. Brennan Johnson and Sorba Thomas will start on the flanks. They will look to help out during transitions and open up the Belgian defence with pace and flair. FInally, Kieffer Moore will lead the line for Wales vs Belgium on Monday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Roberts, Rodon, Davies, Williams; Ampadu, Sheehan; Johnson, Wilson, Thomas; Moore
Key Stats
- The last five matches between these two teams have seen both teams get on the score sheet.
- Belgium have lost four of the last six matches in all competitions.
- Wales are undefeated in the last six matches in all competitions.
- 16 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two teams.
Player to Watch
Jeremy Doku
The Manchester City attacker is our key player to watch out for. Belgium will depend on him to create opportunities with his pace and ingenuity in the final third. Doku has done quite well in his recent outing for his country, and he will look to make a defining impact in the final third.
It will be interesting to see if he can open up the Wales defence and help create opportunities for his teammates. He will look to add to his goal tally as well. Belgium will need their players to step up and deliver if they want all three points here.
Prediction
Belgium 1-1 Wales
Both teams will look to pick up a win here, and this is likely to be a contest. Belgium are in disappointing form, and they will need to step up if they want to grind out a positive result. This will be a difficult outing for them. They are up against a motivated Welsh team.
Wales are full of confidence and momentum because of their recent performances, and they will look to grind out a positive result here. Both teams are likely to get on the score sheet, but it will be difficult to separate them. They are likely to cancel each other out in a goalscoring draw.
