Spain starting lineup vs Belgium confirmed as Lamine Yamal named for FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final clash

La Roja are chasing their second-ever World Cup semi-final spot.

Spain take on Belgium in a feisty FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final clash at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on July 10. The European champions are the slight favourites for tonight’s match, but will need to be at their best against the Red Devils if they want to progress to the semi-finals.

After topping Group H, La Roja thrashed Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32 clash, with Mikel Oyarzabal netting a brace. Mikel Merino then netted a stoppage-time goal in the next game against Portugal, clinching a hard-fought 1-0 win.

Luis de la Fuente’s men are appearing in their sixth quarter-final in the quadrennial tournament. However, they have won only once – en route to their title victory 16 years ago. They will look to repeat the trick in the expanded 48-team edition in North America, and remain unbeaten against Belgium in their last 11 matches.

Also Read: Spain vs Belgium – All-time head-to-head record

Let’s look at the Spain confirmed lineup for the FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Belgium:

Spain (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri (c), Fabian Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena; Mikel Oyarzabal.

Substitutes: Joan Garcia (gk), David Raya (gk), Eric Garcia, Gavi, Alejandro Grimaldi, Borja Iglesias, Marcos Llorente, Mikel Merino, Victor Munoz, Pedri, Yeremy Pino, Marc Pubill, Ferran Torres, Nico Williams, Martin Zubimendi.

Thoughts on the lineup

With no fresh injury concerns to contend with, de la Fuente sticks with an unchanged side from the last match. Unai Simon continues to be the team’s No. 1, starting between the sticks, and is protected by the ever-present centre-back pairing of Pau Cubarsi and Aymeric Laporte. Pedro Porro and Marc Cucurella start as full-backs.

Rodri and Fabian Ruiz form the midfield pivot, with the latter making just his second start of the campaign. Dani Olmo starts in an advanced role. Mikel Oyarzabal has 24 goal involvements in his last 18 international appearances – including four goals in this World Cup – and starts up front.

Lamine Yamal is the key player for La Roja, and the youngster starts on the right flank. Atletico Madrid’s Alex Baena, who has been superb since coming into the first team, starts on the left flank.

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