The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals are scheduled to continue today, Friday, July 10, as Spain prepare to face Belgium. This highly anticipated encounter, one of the World Cup favourites against the team that knocked out the United States, will take place at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. For football enthusiasts in the United Kingdom, the match will kick off at 8pm BST.
Quarter-Final Kick-Off and UK Broadcast Details
UK viewers can watch Spain versus Belgium live from 8pm BST, with coverage available on BBC One and through BBC iPlayer. Globally, the match is set to begin at 12pm PDT and 3pm EDT. Spain holds a FIFA ranking of third, while Belgium is ranked eighth worldwide. The winners of this quarter-final clash are slated to face France in the semi-finals, which is scheduled for Tuesday.
Spain’s Dominant and Unbeaten Campaign
Spain, the current European champions, have maintained an unblemished record in the tournament, notably being the only team not to have conceded a goal. Their progress through the World Cup has been relatively comfortable thus far. Luis de la Fuente’s side finished at the top of Group H, accumulating seven points from two victories and one draw.
Their group stage began with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, followed by a decisive 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia. They then secured a 1-0 victory against Uruguay. Spain continued their strong form by defeating Austria 3-0 in the round of 32. In the last 16, a stoppage-time goal from Mikel Merino secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Portugal, extending their clean sheet streak.
Goalkeeper Unai Simon has been a constant presence, keeping five clean sheets throughout Spain’s five matches. This defensive solidity has helped set an all-time tournament record of 609 minutes without conceding a goal, a run that extends back into their 2022 World Cup campaign. Defenders Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsi have been outstanding in this water-tight defence. A significant part of Spain’s defensive strength comes from their ability to control possession and territory for prolonged periods. They are also adept at winning the ball back quickly through a well-organised collective effort. There is a feeling that Spain are yet to hit the heights they are truly capable of, having not really needed to reach the levels they showed when winning the European Championship two years ago. It is pondered if Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, who turns 19 on Monday, has just been saving his best for the tournament’s latter stages.
Belgium’s Resilient Path to Inglewood
Belgium’s journey to the quarter-finals has been marked by resilience and contentious moments. Rudi Garcia’s team topped Group G with five points, following a 1-1 draw with Egypt and a 0-0 draw with Iran. They concluded their group stage fixtures with a dominant 5-1 victory over New Zealand. Their controversial 4-1 win over co-hosts the United States in the last 16 occurred after FIFA suspended Folarin Balogun’s red card ban, which caused significant controversy. Rudi Garcia’s team acquitted themselves well in these difficult circumstances, but now they face a much tougher test against Spain.
Their round of 32 match against Senegal showcased a remarkable comeback. Trailing 2-0 with only five minutes of normal time remaining, goals from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans dramatically forced the game into extra time. Youri Tielemans then converted a late penalty to complete a thrilling 3-2 victory. Leandro Trossard is highlighted as a player who could prove the difference-maker for Belgium in Inglewood.
The quarter-final clash between Spain and Belgium promises a compelling contest. The winners will advance to face France in the semi-finals on Tuesday, with a place in the World Cup final at stake.