2026 World Cup: Belgium to face Senegal in round of 32
Belgium will face Senegal in Seattle on 1 July in the first knockout round of the World Cup. Their opponents were confirmed by DR Congo's 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan on Saturday at 22:00 Belgian time. Senegal, runners-up in the Africa Cup of Nations, finished third in Group G with three points, behind France and Norway.
Belgium had secured top spot in their group with a convincing win over New Zealand on Friday, but had to wait for Saturday's results to learn who they would meet in the next round.
Senegal had a difficult start to the tournament, losing 3-1 to France and then 3-2 to Norway. A commanding 5-0 victory over Iraq, however, was enough to see them through as one of the eight best third-placed teams. Belgium and Senegal have never faced each other before.
Contested African champion
Senegal are one of Africa's best sides, currently sitting 18th in the FIFA rankings, just eight places below Belgium. They won the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco earlier this year, but were later handed a forfeit defeat by the African Football Confederation after the Senegalese players walked off the pitch when a penalty was awarded to Morocco.
This is Senegal's fourth appearance at a World Cup. On their debut in 2002, they reached the quarter-finals, with coach Pape Thiaw part of that squad as a player. The current generation is built around star player Sadio Mane and a number of players who play or have played at the highest level in Europe, including goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, defender Kalidou Koulibaly and forward Nicolas Jackson.
The winner of Saturday's match will face either the United States or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 16. If Belgium wins those matches, European champion Spain could be waiting in the quarter-finals.
© BELGA PHOTO BRUNO FAHY
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