Luis de la Fuente's Spain meet Rudi Garcia's Belgium at SoFi Stadium in a 2026 World Cup quarter-final shaped by EURO 2024 echoes, European pedigree, and the prize of a last-four date with France.
Nicolas Raskin framed Belgium's 4-1 World Cup last-16 win over the United States as a response to FIFA's Article 27 decision on Folarin Balogun, while Rudi Garcia kept the focus on tactics ahead of a Friday clash with Spain.
The United States host Belgium at Lumen Field in a World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash shaped by similar defensive records, shared possession habits, and a knockout tie that could turn on a single detail.
FIFA has suspended Folarin Balogun's one-match red-card ban for a year, allowing the United States striker to face Belgium in Seattle while UEFA condemns the ruling as unprecedented and damaging to the sport.
As Belgium prepare for a round-of-32 meeting with Senegal, Rudi Garcia faces a defining call at the top of the attack—between Romelu Lukaku's rescue-act instincts and Charles De Ketelaere's false-nine craft.
Belgium manager Rudi Garcia calls Senegal the strongest third-place side in the Round of 16 and plans to lean on squad depth, with Leandro Trossard and Romelu Lukaku central to a Seattle knockout test.
Belgian winger Jeremy Doku returned to England to be present for the birth of his son, missing the draw with Iran, and will rejoin the squad in Seattle on Tuesday evening.
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