The Matchday 3 World Cup 2026 qualifier between North Macedonia and Belgium will take place on June 6 at the Tose Proeski Arena in Skopje. North Macedonia vs. Belgium: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
North Macedonia
Blagoja Milevski's side drew 1-1 with Wales at home in the previous round. As a result, the team has avoided defeat in 11 of their last 13 World Cup qualifiers (7 wins, 4 draws), losing only to Germany and Portugal during this stretch. North Macedonia has collected four points from two matches, topping the group standings but leading Wales only on goal difference.
- The team has not lost in regular time in 7 of their last 8 home World Cup qualifiers (3 wins, 4 draws).
- At least one opponent failed to score in 5 of North Macedonia's last 7 home matches in this tournament.
- North Macedonia has not conceded more than one goal in regular time in 7 of their last 8 home qualifiers.
Predicted lineup for North Macedonia (4-4-2)
Stole Dimitrievski – Visar Musliu, Bojan Dimoski, Gjoko Zajkov, Ezgjan Alioski – Tihomir Kostadinov, Eljif Elmas, Isnik Alimi, Enis Bardhi – Bojan Miovski, Aleksandar Trajkovski.
Defender Nikola Serafimov is suspended for this match.
Belgium
Rudi Garcia's side is only now starting their qualification campaign. In the previous World Cup qualifiers, Belgium had no trouble, comfortably winning their group. Overall, the team has been successful in World Cup qualifiers, remaining unbeaten in 28 matches (23 wins, 5 draws). Notably, Belgium was prolific in the last qualifiers, scoring 25 goals in eight matches.
- The team has not lost in regular time in their last 14 away World Cup qualifiers (12 wins, 2 draws).
- Both teams scored in 5 of Belgium's last 6 away matches in this tournament.
- Belgium scored exactly one or two goals in regular time in 5 of their last 7 away qualifiers.
Predicted lineup for Belgium (4-3-3)
Matz Sels – Timothy Castagne, Zeno Debast, Wout Faes, Thomas Meunier – Youri Tielemans, Kevin De Bruyne, Amadou Onana – Jeremy Doku, Romelu Lukaku, Leandro Trossard.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will miss the game due to injury.
Referee
Chris Kavanagh (England)
Matches – 9 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 48;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.3;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 11%.
Match Prediction: North Macedonia vs. Belgium
In recent years, North Macedonia has shown they can challenge opponents of any level. At home, the team is particularly strong: in their last 13 home World Cup qualifiers, North Macedonia has only once lost by more than one goal, and that was against Germany. Additionally, during this stretch, the team played commendably against Italy (2-3) and Spain (1-2).
Belgium performs very confidently in World Cup qualifiers, but they face less resistance at home than away. In their last six away qualifiers, Belgium only once won by more than one goal, defeating Estonia 5-2, and drew twice against mid-level opponents – Czech Republic and Wales.
I believe Blagoja Milevski's side can put up a fight against Belgium at home. My prediction: North Macedonia with a handicap (+1.5)
