Spain v Belgium: World Cup 2026 quarter-final – live

The Guardian The Guardian

⚽ Kick-off time: 12pm local/3pm EDT/8pm BST/5am AEST
https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/04/world-cup-2026-complete-player-guide">Player guide | https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/04/bracketology-predict-a-path-to-world-cup-victory">Bracketology | https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/04/golden-boot-world-cup-2026-top-goalscorers-winner">Golden Boot | Email Billy

Starting lineups are coming up shortly but Belgium’s preparations have involved a dispute with Sporting over the fitness of Zeno Debast.

The centre-back was on the bench for the first time this World Cup against the USA after missing the start of the tournament with an injury.

His club maintain that he is not fit to play and the Belgian FA said “this assessment differs from that of the Red Devils’ medical staff”.

Belgium appear to have bowed to Sporting’s wishes and the FA said he would not play in this quarter-final.

As mentioned, an ominous France team await the winners of this one after they eased past a pretty meek Morocco in Boston yesterday.

How can you stop France?

You can defend with great organisation and concentration, block and tackle and harry and work, your keeper can make two or three excellent saves, and then one of their forwards conjures a goal like that.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jul/10/spain-v-belgium-world-cup-2026-quarter-final-live">Continue reading...

Read full article at The Guardian →