Belgium vs France – Preview, Team News & H2H

Belgium vs FranceFrance players celebrate together during a 2026 international match.

Belgium vs France meet at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on 28 September 2026 after both teams opened UEFA Nations League Group A1 with wins. Follow the confirmed lineups, live score, goals, cards and changing match statistics on SP Score, and find more football coverage on the SportPesa Global Blog.

Belgium won 2-0 away to Italy on Matchday 1, while France beat Türkiye 1-0. That gives France vs Belgium an early place at the top end of Group A1, with both teams trying to build on winning starts.

The match also brings together two new national-team coaches. Mark van Bommel began his Belgium reign with victory in Italy, while Zinédine Zidane started with a win in Türkiye.

Belgium vs France match details

Match detailsInformation
FixtureBelgium vs France
CompetitionUEFA Nations League 2026/27
League / GroupLeague A, Group A1
MatchdayMatchday 2
Date28 September 2026
Kick-off20:45 local / 18:45 UTC
VenueKing Baudouin Stadium, Brussels
RefereeRade Obrenovič (Slovenia)

The France vs Belgium Nations League fixture is one of two Group A1 matches on the night, with Türkiye also facing Italy.

READ ALSO: Belgium National Football Team: Squad, Fixtures, Results and Stats

Belgium vs France
Kevin De Bruyne wearing Belgium’s national-team kit.

Belgium vs France team news

Belgium have Kevin De Bruyne available after the midfielder helped the Red Devils begin the competition with a win in Italy. Youri Tielemans, Roméo Lavia, Nicolas Raskin, Timothy Castagne, Arthur Theate and Maxim De Cuyper are also among Van Bommel’s options for the France match.

France have a strong squad available under Zidane, including Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, Eduardo Camavinga, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Jules Koundé and Dayot Upamecano.

Kylian Mbappé is not expected to feature against Belgium. UEFA’s match coverage notes his absence, leaving France to adjust their attack after he scored the winner against Türkiye on Matchday 1.

The France national football team vs Belgium national football team lineups will only be confirmed close to kick-off. The final starting XIs can change the balance of the match, particularly in midfield and attack.

Belgium vs France head to head

The France vs Belgium head to head record is unusually close across more than a century of meetings. UEFA lists Belgium with 30 wins, France with 29 and 19 draws, with Belgium scoring 163 goals and France 136.

Recent competitive meetings, however, have gone France’s way. France beat Belgium 1-0 in the 2018 World Cup semi-final, came from behind to win 3-2 in the 2021 Nations League semi-final, and won both meetings in 2024.

The France vs Belgium 2018 World Cup semi-final remains one of the best-known recent meetings, with France winning 1-0 before going on to lift the trophy.

DateCompetitionResult
14 Oct 2024UEFA Nations LeagueBelgium 1-2 France
9 Sep 2024UEFA Nations LeagueFrance 2-0 Belgium
1 Jul 2024UEFA EuroFrance 1-0 Belgium
7 Oct 2021UEFA Nations LeagueBelgium 2-3 France
10 Jul 2018FIFA World CupFrance 1-0 Belgium

Current form and Group A1

The latest Belgium national football team vs France national football team stats start with Matchday 1. Belgium won 2-0 in Italy, while France won 1-0 away to Türkiye.

Both teams therefore enter Matchday 2 with three points. Italy and Türkiye began the group with defeats, making this meeting an early chance for Belgium or France to strengthen their position.

TeamMatchday 1Result
BelgiumAway vs ItalyWon 2-0
FranceAway vs TürkiyeWon 1-0

Key players to watch

Kevin De Bruyne remains central to Belgium’s midfield. His passing range and ability to move the ball quickly into attacking areas will be important against a France side that is comfortable in possession.

France still have several attacking options without Mbappé. Olise and Cherki can create from advanced positions, while Camavinga, Koné and Rabiot give Zidane different midfield combinations.

For Belgium, Tielemans and Lavia can help determine how much control the hosts have through the middle, while Castagne and De Cuyper offer width from deeper positions.

Belgium vs France prediction

A France vs Belgium prediction has to balance France’s recent record in this fixture against Belgium’s strong opening result in Italy. France won the last four competitive meetings before this match, but Belgium started the new Nations League campaign with a clean sheet and two away goals.

For Belgium vs France predictions, Mbappé’s absence is also important. France still have depth in attack, but Belgium can prepare for a different forward line from the one Zidane used to start the campaign.

The midfield battle, Belgium’s ability to play through France’s pressure and the quality of the final pass at both ends are likely to be important. The confirmed starting lineups will add more context before kick-off.

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Key battle: Belgium midfield vs France pressure

Belgium will need clean possession through De Bruyne, Tielemans and Lavia if they want to move France away from their defensive shape. France have enough pace and technical quality to punish loose passes when Belgium try to build through midfield.

France, meanwhile, must replace Mbappé’s direct running and finishing. How Zidane sets up the front line could influence whether France attack through central combinations or use more width against Belgium’s back line.

Belgium vs France FAQs

When is Belgium vs France?

Belgium vs France is scheduled for Monday, 28 September 2026 in Matchday 2 of the UEFA Nations League.

What time is Belgium vs France?

Kick-off is scheduled for 20:45 local time in Brussels, which is 18:45 UTC.

Where is Belgium vs France being played?

The match is at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Belgium.

Which Nations League group are Belgium and France in?

Belgium and France are in League A Group A1 with Italy and Türkiye.

What happened in the opening Nations League matches?

Belgium beat Italy 2-0 away, while France won 1-0 away to Türkiye.

Who has the better Belgium vs France head-to-head record?

UEFA lists Belgium with 30 wins, France with 29 wins and 19 draws across their meetings before this match.

Where to follow Belgium vs France live

For Belgium vs France live scores, confirmed lineups, goals, cards, substitutions and changing match statistics, follow SP Score.

Ahead of Belgium vs France today and France vs Belgium today, both teams have three points after winning their opening Group A1 matches.

Conclusion

Belgium vs France brings together the two Group A1 teams that won on Matchday 1, with Belgium returning home after beating Italy and France arriving after victory in Türkiye.

Belgium have the narrow edge in the overall historical win count, but France have controlled the recent competitive meetings. With new coaches on both benches and Mbappé absent for France, this Nations League meeting arrives with a different setup from the clashes of 2024.

The result will give one or both teams an early indication of where they stand in a group that also includes Italy and Türkiye.

READ ALSO: France vs Spain Prediction: 2026 FIFA World Cup Semi-Final

Belgium vs France

ByTekra Muthoni

Tekra Muthoni is an experienced digital content writer at Yaani Digital Limited, specializing in sports, betting insights, and digital media content. She has contributed extensively to leading platforms such as iWriter, Upwork, SportPesa, and other regional brands, helping scale content visibility through SEO and audience-driven storytelling. Tekra has studied in Faculty of Media and Communications (2023) – Laikipia University.

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