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World Cup 2026 quarter final: Spain vs. Belgium official line-ups

Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere and Napoli’s Kevin De Bruyne start for Belgium against Spain in...

Jul 10, 2026 | 3 min read
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Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere and Napoli’s Kevin De Bruyne start for Belgium against Spain in the World Cup quarter-final, as Romelu Lukaku is only fit for the bench.

It kicks off in Los Angeles at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

The winners of this tie will go on to face tournament favourites France in the semi-final.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 01: Romelu Lukaku #9 of Belgium reacts after scoring the team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at Seattle Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 01: Romelu Lukaku #9 of Belgium reacts after scoring the team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at Seattle Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Belgium have several Serie A players involved and they were decisive in thumping co-hosts USA 4-1 in the last game.

De Ketelaere impressed as a False 9 with two goals, while Lukaku scored again when coming off the bench, as he is still not fully fit after missing most of Napoli’s season through injury.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 06: Charles De Ketelaere #17 of Belgium heads to score the team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 06: Charles De Ketelaere #17 of Belgium heads to score the team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

The Atalanta man therefore starts upfront once more, with Lukaku ready to come on later, but the change is De Bruyne returning to the starting XI.

The competition is over for Amadou Onana, who tore the cruciate ligament in his knee and will be out of action for several months.

Youri Tielemans was in the starting XI, but pulled out during the warm-up, replaced by Hans Vanaken.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 06: Charles De Ketelaere #17 of Belgium applauds fans after the 4-1 victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 06: Charles De Ketelaere #17 of Belgium applauds fans after the 4-1 victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Spain are unbeaten against Belgium since the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals, which they lost in a penalty shoot-out.

They left it late to squeeze past Portugal with a last-gasp goal from Mikel Merino in the Round of 16.

Coach Luis de la Fuente sticks with almost the same starting XI, including centre-forward Mikel Oyarzabal, who has scored four goals this tournament.

Lamine Yamal hasn’t quite delivered on his promise yet at the World Cup, but he plays with Dani Olmo and Alex Baena in support.

Nico Williams returns for a spot on the bench after his injury problems, but the change is ex-Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz preferred to Pedri.

Spain vs. Belgium line-ups

Spain: Unai Simon; Porro, Cubarsì, Laporte, Cucurella; Fabian Ruiz, Rodri, Olmo; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Baena

Belgium: Courtois; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; De Bruyne, Raskin; Doku, Vanaken, Trossard; De Ketelaere

10-07-2026 20:00
Quarterfinal

Player statistic

1st half
Fabián Ruiz 30'    
    41' Charles De Ketelaere
(Assist: Timothy Castagne)
Pau Cubarsí 43'    
2nd half
    85' Charles De Ketelaere
Mikel Merino Goal 88'    
Aymeric Laporte 90+3'    
    90+5' Yellow card Axel Witsel

Match statistic

68
Possession %
32
17
Total shots
5
8
Shots on target
2
4
Shots off target
1
5
Blocked shots
2
5
Corners
1
3
Offsides
1
13
Fouls
18
Spain
Belgium

Starting lineups

23
Goalkeeper
14
Defender
24
Defender
22
Defender
12
Defender
15
Midfielder
55'
8
Midfielder
55'
16
Midfielder
10
Attacker
86'
19
Attacker
21
Attacker
79'
1
Goalkeeper
71'
5
Defender
60'
4
Defender
25
Defender
21
Defender
20
Midfielder
60'
7
Midfielder
86'
23
Midfielder
17
11
Attacker
10
Attacker
60'

Substitutes

4
Defender
5
Midfielder
3
26
Attacker
18
Midfielder
11
Attacker
9
Midfielder
1
Goalkeeper
25
Attacker
13
Goalkeeper
2
Defender
7
Attacker
55'
20
Midfielder
55'
17
Attacker
79'
6
Midfielder
86'
16
Defender
3
Defender
15
Defender
14
Attacker
19
Attacker
13
Goalkeeper
6
Midfielder
60'
9
Attacker
60'
18
Defender
60'
12
Goalkeeper
71'
22
Midfielder
86'
Source: Susy Campanale · football-italia.net
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