Belgium Aims for World Cup Spot Against Kazakhstan

Astana, Kazakhstan — Belgium is on the verge of securing a spot in the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup with a match against Kazakhstan on Saturday. Currently leading Group J, the Red Devils need a win to clinch a berth for next summer’s tournament.

Belgium sits one point ahead of North Macedonia, with a crucial advantage of having a game in hand. Coach Rudi Garcia‘s team has been undefeated in the qualifying rounds and recently achieved a strong 4-2 victory against Wales. The team has scored an impressive 21 goals in six matches, making them a formidable opponent.

Kazakhstan, meanwhile, is already eliminated from World Cup contention and is playing solely for pride. Ranked 115th globally, they have struggled throughout the qualifying campaign, with only two wins against Liechtenstein. Their most recent match ended in a 1-1 draw against North Macedonia.

Missing from Belgium’s lineup are star players Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne due to injuries, as well as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Matz Sels is expected to start in goal, while others like Leandro Trossard may lead the attack. Despite the absences, Belgium’s depth and experience should help them secure a victory.

The match will be held at the Astana Arena, kicking off at 6 a.m. PT / 9 a.m. ET. Fans can watch the game live through various streaming services. Kazakhstan hopes to give their home fans a strong performance, but Belgium is expected to dominate.

Only a few points away from celebrating their successful qualification, the Red Devils are eager to return home with the victory secured.