Belgium and Senegal face off in the round of 32 of the World Cup 2026. The match kicks off on Wednesday, 1 July at 9 PM (BST) at Lumen Field, Seattle.
This is the first-ever meeting between the two nations, setting the stage for a fascinating encounter. Belgium advanced unbeaten from their group, while Senegal recovered from a shaky start to secure their spot in the knockout phase. Our prediction for Belgium vs. Senegal points towards a competitive clash.
Find out where to watch the match and what our expert predictions are, as well as the expected lineups for today’s encounter.
Match Overview - Belgium vs. Senegal
- Belgium heads into the knockout stages with momentum, having secured a commanding 5-1 victory over New Zealand in their final group game after two initial draws.
- Senegal demonstrated their resilience by bouncing back from two opening defeats to thrash Iraq 5-0, and now face Belgium in the round of 32.
- This is the first-ever competitive meeting between the two nations, adding an extra layer of unpredictability to this high-stakes World Cup knockout tie.
Head-to-Head Record
- This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between Belgium and Senegal.
- Belgium are currently on an impressive 16-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.
- Senegal have been consistent in attack, finding the back of the net in eight of their last ten matches.
- Belgium averaged 2.0 goals per game during the group stage, while only conceding twice.
- Leandro Trossard is the Belgians’ leading scorer in the tournament with two goals so far.
- Ismaïla Sarr is Senegal’s key player, contributing with three goals and one assist in the competition.
Belgium's Road to the Knockouts
Belgium progressed unbeaten from their group, hitting peak form with a commanding 5-1 victory over New Zealand after two initial draws. This win highlighted their strong attacking capabilities for the World Cup knockout stage.
Leandro Trossard spearheads their attack with two goals, while Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku have each contributed one, forming a potent offensive trio.
Zeno Debast’s hamstring injury is a defensive setback. Nevertheless, Belgium enters this knockout match with significant confidence and solid momentum from their unbeaten group stage performance.
Senegal's Mixed Fortunes
Senegal’s World Cup 2026 campaign saw a mixed start, with losses to France and Norway. However, they bounced back impressively, securing a 5-0 victory against Iraq to reach the knockout stage. Overall, they have one win and two losses in their three World Cup matches, scoring eight goals but conceding six.
Ismaïla Sarr has been a key player for Senegal, contributing three goals and one assist in the tournament. His attacking output will be vital against the Belgian defence. The team faces defensive challenges, having conceded six goals in their World Cup group games.
Further complicating matters, key goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is sidelined with a ligament injury. His absence could significantly impact Senegal’s defensive stability in this crucial round of 32 fixture.
Belgium vs. Senegal Prediction: Red Devils to Prevail
Belgium enters the knockouts with huge confidence after a big 5-1 win. Their 11-match unbeaten streak makes the "Belgium to Win or Draw" market a solid starting point for bettors looking for a safer option.
Senegal also showed their goalscoring ability by hitting five in their last match. With both sides possessing attacking threats from the start, expecting "Over 0.5 Goals" in the first half seems like a reasonable prediction.
Considering Belgium’s superior form and Senegal’s defensive vulnerabilities, our main prediction leans towards a Belgian victory. Their overall quality and momentum should see them through to the next round of the World Cup.
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| Double Chance | Belgium to Win or Draw | |
| Over/Under | Over 0.5 goals in the first half | |
The odds mentioned were collected during the writing of this prediction and may change. Always check with the bookmaker for the latest information.
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| Double Chance | Belgium to Win or Draw | |
| Over/Under | Over 0.5 goals in the first half | |
Where to Watch Belgium vs. Senegal
For those looking for where to watch Belgium vs. Senegal, there is currently no broadcast information available for this match.
- TV: BBC Sport (Gbr), ITV 1 (Gbr), STV (Gbr), ITV X (Gbr), UTV (Gbr), STV Player (Gbr)
- Streaming: BBC Sport app (Gbr), BBC iPlayer (Gbr), BBC Radio 5 Live (Gbr)
Belgium vs. Senegal Predicted Lineups
Getting the starting XIs right will be crucial for both nations in this key World Cup 2026 knockout match. The probable Belgium lineup suggests a strategy focused on establishing control and creating chances from the outset. On the other side, the expected Senegal lineup will likely be organised to strike a balance between a solid defence and a potent attack. Both managers face important decisions as they finalise their teams for this critical round of 32 fixture.
Belgium
Courtois; Castagne, Ngoy, De Cuyper, Mechele; Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard, Tielemans, Vanaken; De Ketelaere.
Manager: Rudi Garcia.
Senegal
Diaw; Seck, Diouf, Diatta, Niakhaté; I. Gueye, P. Gueye, Camara; Sarr, Mané, Ndiaye.
Manager: Pape Thiaw.
Match Details
Here are the match details:
- Match: Belgium vs. Senegal
- Competition: World Cup 2026
- Date: 01/07/2026
- Kick-off: 9 PM (BST)
- Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, United States
- Broadcast: BBC Sport app (Gbr), BBC iPlayer (Gbr), BBC Sport (Gbr), BBC Radio 5 Live (Gbr), STV Player (Gbr), UTV (Gbr), ITV 1 (Gbr), ITV X (Gbr), STV (Gbr)
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