Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers match.
The clash between Belgium and Wales is a key fixture within the top four of Group J. However, there's a twist: Belgium are not currently leading the group. That said, they still have two games in hand and will need to make them count.
Belgium
In recent years, the main concern for Belgium has been their defence. At present, their backline features Wout Faes and Zeno Debast — a pairing that offers little reassurance. To make matters worse, one of the world’s top goalkeepers, Thibaut Courtois, is absent from the squad. As a result, Matz Sels, a goalkeeper of mid-table calibre, is currently starting between the posts.
Wales
Wales have collected seven points and scored seven goals in their three qualifying matches. They comfortably dispatched the group’s weaker sides — Kazakhstan (3:1) and Liechtenstein (3:0). Like Belgium, they also shared the points with North Macedonia (1:1). While this squad may lack headline names, their cohesion and tactical discipline have proven effective. Alongside experienced players like Kieffer Moore and Harry Wilson, a young winger from Tottenham Hotspur — Brennan Johnson — has brought added spark to their attack.
Belgium vs Wales Prediction
Wales have established themselves as a resilient and competitive side. Belgium, on the other hand, are navigating a period of transition and continue to deliver inconsistent performances. If even North Macedonia managed to score twice against them (with only the first goal standing), then Wales should be more than capable of finding the net.
