Belgium take on Senegal in the World Cup 2026 last 32 at 4pm local time (6pm EDT, 9pm BST, 6am AEST) in Seattle. This match is one of the more intriguing fixtures in the knockout stage, featuring two teams whose form and potential remain uncertain.
Belgium's Quest to Shed 'Has-Beens' Tag
Belgium, ranked 10th in the world, secured top spot in Group G with a 5-1 win over New Zealand. However, manager Rudi Garcia expressed frustration after a newspaper article labeled his star players 'has-beens'. He defended his 'four leaders'—Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, and Leandro Trossard—who responded with strong performances against New Zealand. Trossard scored twice, including Belgium's first self-scored goal of the tournament after 45 attempts and over 200 minutes of play.
Garcia said: "I really didn't appreciate them being called has-beens. When a nation has players of that calibre, you support them."
Senegal's Mixed Campaign
Senegal, ranked 18th, entered the tournament as a hipster pick after beating England in a friendly a year ago. However, they faced a tough group, losing to France and Norway before defeating Iraq to advance as one of the best third-place teams. Their path to the quarter-finals remains open, with the winner facing either the United States or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Key Players to Watch
Belgium boast a talented squad including De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Youri Tielemans, and Courtois. Senegal rely on their collective strength and African champions pedigree. Both teams have the potential to reach the quarter-finals, making this a pivotal encounter.
