Spain is determined to book her place in the 2026 World Cup semifinal for the first time in 16 years when facing Belgium at SoFi Stadium in California tonight.
Since winning their first world title in 2010 in South Africa, Spain had failed to make it beyond the Round of 16 at any subsequent tournament until this summer, but Luis de la Fuente’s European champions are an entirely different proposition.
Long tipped as one of the competition favorites, they have come through their five matches in North America unbeaten and having yet to concede.
De la Fuente’s alterations from match to match have generally been minimal, with the veteran coach trusting his preferred cast of stars. Whether he will tinker for a tough quarterfinal tie with a resurgent Belgium remains to be seen.
Here’s how Spain could line up in Inglewood.
Standing in their way is an incredibly dangerous Belgium side that has steadily evolved into a multi-faceted goal-scoring machine as the tournament progresses.
Riding an impressive 18-match unbeaten streak across all competitions, the Red Devils arrived in Southern California determined to smash through Spain’s structural barrier and claim a legendary spot in the final four.
Spain has enjoyed a flawless, defensively historic campaign to reach the last eight. De la Fuente’s men comfortably swept through the group stage before demonstrating total knockout maturity, routing Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32 and silencing Portugal 1-0 in the Round of 16 courtesy of a dramatic late winner from substitute Mikel Merino. Crucially, Spain has yet to concede a single goal all tournament, with goalkeeper Unai Simón setting a remarkable new record of 609 minutes unbreached.
Belgium’s path to Los Angeles has been defined by explosive offensive response. After a slow start that yielded draws against Egypt and Iran, they triggered a 5-1 rout of New Zealand to escape the group. They carried that rampant edge into the knockouts, navigating a tight 3-2 extra-time victory over Senegal before producing an absolute masterclass in the Round of 16, demolishing tournament co-hosts USA 4-1 in Seattle to signal their ultimate threat.
