Belgium vs Spain World Cup 2026 Tickets

Belgium vs Spain History

Belgium and Spain have met numerous times before, and the last time they played each other in a World Cup finals match came in Italia 1990. On that occasion, Spain were victorious in a 2-1 success, thanks to goals from Michel and Alberto Gorriz, though both teams safely booked passage to the knockout phase regardless.

Belgium at the FIFA World Cup

For a country the size of Belgium, their national team is very much batting above their average. The relatively small country has become a real force in world football, and a number of the best players in Roberto Martinez's squad ply their trade with the best teams in Europe.

Talents like Kevin De Bruyne at Man City and Real Madrid pair Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard stand out, but there are many more in the Belgium squad that are likely to make an impact in 2022, much as they did in 2018.

They made it all the way to the World Cup semi-finals in Russia before losing to eventual winners France.

This time around, they start with a pretty straightforward group that features Canada, Morocco, and Croatia, with games in Group F taking place at the Al Bayt Stadium, the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, the Al Thumama stadium, and the Khalifa International Stadium, these being among the finest venues in Qatar.

Aging Squad

Belgium are currently ranked second in the FIFA rankings, but it's fair to say that the overall make-up of their squad is a little on the old side. As a sign of this predicament, it's interesting to note that no fewer than eight members of their squad have 90 or more national team caps.

Spain at the FIFA World Cup

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is Spain's 16th appearance in the finals, and thus far, their sole triumph came back in 2010 when they beat the Netherlands in the World Cup final in South Africa, thanks to a late Andres Iniesta goal.

In 2022 Luis Enrique will be looking to repeat that feat, and the Spain national team coach certainly has a strong enough squad to really challenge. Currently, they are considered one of the favourites to win the tournament in Qatar, behind the likes of Brazil, France, Argentina, and England.

Up and Down Performances

Aside from that triumph in 2010, it would be fair to say that Spain have had an up-and-down time of it at the FIFA World Cup. Way back in 1950 they finished in fourth place, and in their home World Cup in 1982 they went as far as the second group stage (back when the tournament had a different schedule and set-up).

In 1986, 1994, and 2002 they managed to get to the quarter-finals, and famously their exit on that occasion came to one of the hosts, South Korea, following a penalty shoot that came after a very contentious 0-0 draw.

Average World Cup Displays Since 2010 Triumph

Following their 2010 success Spain haven't impressed. They failed to get out of the group stage in 2014, and in 2018 they surprisingly lost to hosts Russia, again via a penalty shoot-out.

They face a stern test in the group stage as they play Costa Rica, Germany, and Japan. It is that clash with the Germans that will be most eagerly anticipated, with interest in tickets for the match at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor proving massive.