Belgium and Senegal have confirmed their starting teams for their World Cup 2026 last-32 tie in Seattle on Wednesday.
The Red Devils drew 1-1 with Egypt and 0-0 against Iran before progressing with a 5-1 win over New Zealand.
The Lions of Teranga lost 3-1 to France and 3-2 against Norway before beating Iraq 5-0 – including two Papa Gueye goals – and advancing as one of the best third-placed teams.
The winners will meet the USA or Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle in the last 16 on July 7 (01:00 BST).
Game ready. 👀 #BELSEN pic.twitter.com/MnjOrZGOll
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) July 1, 2026
World Cup 2026: Belgium confirmed team vs Senegal
Zeno Debast is yet to feature because of an injury to the centre-back’s left leg. Rudi Garcia has named an unchanged XI from the side that started the 5-1 win over New Zealand last time out.
Belgium starting XI: Courtois; Castagne, Theate, Mechele, De Cuyper; Vanaken, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; De Ketelaere.
Belgium substitutes: To follow
World Cup 2026: Senegal full line up vs Belgium
Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy misses consecutive matches with a knee injury sustained against Norway on matchday two.
Senegal starting XI: Diaw; Diatta, Ciss, Niakhate, Jakobs; Diarra, I. Gueye, P. Gueye, Ndiaye, Sarr, Mane.
Senegal substitutes: To follow
Where to watch Belgium vs Senegal: TV channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Wednesday is at 21:00 BST (16:00 ET / 13:00 PT). In the UK, live coverage is on ITV1.
Streaming is via ITV’s website and ITVX app, which is available on a vast variety of devices for viewing on the go.
World Cup 2026: Belgium vs Senegal stats
- Belgium are the first team to top their group at the World Cup despite not winning either of their first two matches since the USA in 2010
- They are unbeaten in 16 games across all competitions (W10) and earned their largest victory in a World Cup match with a 5-1 win over New Zealand on matchday three, scoring more goals in that game than across their previous seven at the finals (4)
- Leandro Trossard scored twice against New Zealand and has created 13 chances, which is the most by any player in a World Cup group stage since Miralem Pjanic for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2014 (also 13)
- All 13 of those chances were fashioned from open play, which is the most by any player overall in a single World Cup group since Enzo Scifo produced 15 for Belgium in 1994
- Romelu Lukaku scored last time out and set up Alexis Saelemaekers’ goal as the striker moved to six goals and eight goal involvements (6 goals, 2 assists) at the World Cup action, giving the 33-year-old the most goals and goal involvements of any Belgium player at the finals since records began
- Against Iraq on matchday three, Senegal recorded their most attempts (28), efforts on target (12), highest expected goals tally (3.01) and most touches in the opposition box (51) in a World Cup match
- There have been 14 goals (8 for, 6 against) in Senegal’s three matches, with only Norway’s games (15) featuring more
- Ismaila Sarr has been directly involved in four goals at this year’s tournament (3 goals, 1 assist), which is the joint-most by a Senegal player at a single edition (Henri Camara totalled four in 2002)
- Idrissa Gueye made 39 line-breaking passes in the group stage – the most of any Senegal player – and ranked top overall for line-breaking passes at his previous international tournament, with 100 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
- Senegal have lost their last two World Cup knockout matches without scoring – 1-0 against Turkiye in the 2002 quarter-finals and 3-0 against England in the last 16 four years ago, previously beating Sweden 2-1 in the last 16 in 2002
