World Cup 2026: Spain vs Belgium Prediction, Tips & Odds

* Odds supplied by Betway, accurate at the time of writing.

Spain face Belgium at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, kicking off at 21:00 CAT, in a quarter final that sees the tightest defence at the tournament take on a Belgium team that has just found its attacking spark again. Spain have won all five games without letting in a goal, while Belgium come in on the back of a dominant win against the United States. Whoever wins goes into a semi-final against the winner of France and Morocco. BettingTop10 South Africa readers have had this tie marked on the calendar ever since the draw. You can find every one of our World Cup betting tips in our dedicated section.

Spain

Spain have been the best all round team at the tournament, pairing Luis de la Fuente's patient possession style with a defence that has kept five straight clean sheets, most recently in a win over Portugal that Mikel Merino sealed in stoppage time. For me, their midfield trio of Pedri, Zubimendi and Merino is the main reason rivals hardly make any chances, with Portugal held to less than one expected goal. Lamine Yamal keeps pulling defences apart on the right and gives Spain someone who can win tight games on his own. I think de la Fuente will stick with the same disciplined setup that nobody has managed to break down.

Expected Starting XI: Simon; Porro, Laporte, Cubarsi, Cucurella; Rodri; Pedri, Olmo; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Baena.

Belgium

Belgium looked like a new team against the United States, with Rudi Garcia's men netting four to make it 12 goals in their last three matches, although the Americans gifted them at least two of those through defensive mistakes. Kevin De Bruyne sat that game out with a minor fitness issue and Jeremy Doku started on the bench, and I think both will be back here. As I see it, Belgium pose a real threat through Doku's dribbling and De Bruyne's passing, but they let in two against Senegal earlier on and will get far less room against Spain. De Ketelaere leads the attack and needs the kind of supply that Spain seldom allow.

Expected Starting XI: Courtois; Castagne, Mechele, Theate, De Cuyper; Vanakan, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; De Ketelaere

With their control and spotless defensive record, Spain are clear favourites, and I think they will stifle Belgium and win a low scoring game thanks to their sharper moments in attack. Belgium can do damage on the counter, but they will have little of the ball and I doubt they can get past a defence that has stayed unbeaten all tournament. My prediction: Spain 1 Belgium 0.

BTTS: No (1.98)

Spain have not let in one goal in five games and kept out a Portugal attack much more dangerous than this Belgium side. For me, Belgium will find it hard to make clear chances against that midfield shield, and with Spain set to dominate the ball, I am backing both teams to score no at 1.98. No pick better captures how dominant Spain have been at the back.