Belgium trail France by one point, and they just beat Türkiye 3-0 with two goals from Kevin De Bruyne. France have not won at home under Zinédine Zidane yet, after a 1-1 draw with Italy at the Stade de France on 2 October. The rematch of Olise’s 88th-minute winner in Liège takes place at the same stadium on Monday 5 October 2026 (kick-off 19:45 BST), and it now decides who leads Group A1.
Form & Stake
France lead with seven points and a goal difference of +2. Kylian Mbappé scored in the 54th minute to beat Türkiye 1-0 on 25 September, and Michael Olise scored in the 88th to beat Belgium by the same score three days later. Against Italy on Friday, Olise scored again in the 55th minute, but Alessandro Bastoni equalised in the 68th, and Zidane’s first home game as France manager ended without a win. Three games, three goals scored, one conceded.
Belgium have six points and a goal difference of +4. They won 2-0 at Italy on 25 September, with Godts scoring in the 20th minute and Lukébakio in the 69th, and then lost to France in Liège. On Friday they beat Türkiye 3-0. De Bruyne scored in the ninth minute and again just before the hour, and Romelu Lukaku, on as a substitute for Lukébakio, scored the third, so Mark van Bommel’s side now have the best goal difference in the group.
The stakes are clear. A Belgian win would put them top of Group A1 with nine points, ahead of France on seven, while a French win would open a four-point lead with two games left. A draw leaves France one clear. Only the group winner reaches the March quarter-finals, and the bottom side faces a play-out.
France have won all of their last five meetings with Belgium, according to a match listing.
Team news & injuries
Belgium’s attack has come alive, with De Bruyne showing the form and the fitness for now, and Lukaku scoring after coming off the bench to remind everyone what a big forward can do in a game like this. Doku, Saelemaekers and Meunier were out for the first two games, and Romeo Lavia limped off ten minutes from time against France on 28 September.
France lost Ibrahima Konaté to a right-leg collateral ligament injury before the Italy game, and Leny Yoro of Manchester United was called up to replace him.
Predicted line-ups
No confirmed XI was available at the time of writing.
France: Zidane has leaned on Mbappé and Olise for goals. De Bruyne’s passing will test the back line, and Konaté’s absence matters more as Belgium finds a rhythm.
France possible line-up: Maignan – Kounde, Jacquet, Lacroix, Truffert – Kone, Camavinga – Olise, Cherki, Barcola – Lepaul
Belgium: Van Bommel will pick De Bruyne and probably start Lukaku after his goal, with the midfield depending on Lavia’s fitness.
Belgium possible line-up: Lammens – De Cuyper, Machele, Ngoy, Castagne – Raskin, Lavia – Godts, Vanaken, Moreira – De Ketelaere
The key battle
De Bruyne against France’s midfield. He scored twice on Friday, and he is the player most likely to unlock a French defence that has conceded in only one of three games. France found their way past Belgium late the first time, and this time Belgium need to stay alert for the whole 90 minutes while France try to repeat the trick. Without Mbappé, France is heavily relying on Olise’s and Cherki’s brilliance. Dembelé and Doue were a bit quiet recently, but if they have a great moment, they will cause a headache for the Belgian defence.
France vs Belgium Predictions & tips
France are at home and have a record of narrow wins, while Belgium has more attacking momentum and a better goal difference; since the first game was settled by one late moment and neither side has scored freely against the other, a tight game is the safest bet. Draws are in the air.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals. Predicted score: France 2-2 Belgium.
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