Belgium are set to safe their place on the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals after they host Liechtenstein of their ultimate Group J qualifier. The Purple Devils’ hopes of early qualification have been delayed after a 1-1 draw with Kazakhstan on Saturday, however they nonetheless lead the group by two factors, Softfootball reviews.
A simple victory or perhaps a draw could be sufficient to ensure prime spot, barring unlikely outcomes elsewhere. Regardless of dropping factors at house towards North Macedonia , Belgium have been first rate thus far in WCQ play total, successful their earlier two house video games on this marketing campaign whereas scoring ten targets. The facet has gone unbeaten of their final 35 World Cup qualifiers and supervisor Rudi Garcia shall be decided to keep up that document heading into the finals.
Belgium shall be seeking to depend on Jeremy Doku, the Manchester Metropolis winger, to spearhead the assault within the absence of key stars Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, each sidelined with harm. Doku’s tempo and creativity shall be essential in unlocking a Liechtenstein protection that has conceded 24 targets with out reply on this marketing campaign.
Hans Vanaken, who scored the equalizer towards Kazakhstan, can be anticipated to play a key function in midfield, offering assist and power as Belgium push to finish qualifying on a excessive word.
For Liechtenstein, this fixture represents the hardest problem of their marketing campaign. The guests have struggled all through, dropping all seven video games in Group J and remaining with out a single win of their final 48 World Cup qualifiers.
Their most up-to-date outing noticed them narrowly overwhelmed 1-0 by Wales, however even that shut scoreline did nothing to masks their long-standing struggles on the worldwide stage. Konrad Fünfstück’s facet have additionally misplaced every of their final ten away qualifiers, scoring simply as soon as throughout that stretch, leaving them with little margin for error towards a dominant Belgium facet.
Liechtenstein will hope to depend on Sandro Wolfinger, their prime scorer on the highway in qualifiers, and Emanuel Zünd, who was compelled off of their final match towards Wales, to marshal the staff and hold the scoreline respectable. Wolfinger will intention to create possibilities whereas Zünd should be at his sharpest to deal with Belgium’s attacking threats, although victory appears extremely unlikely.
Workforce Information
Belgium don’t seem to have any recent harm considerations forward of this fixture. Stars Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne are each sidelined, leaving supervisor Rudi Garcia to show to Jeremy Doku as the primary attacking outlet. Hans Vanaken is anticipated to supply assist from midfield, whereas Charles De Ketelaere might additionally characteristic as artistic retailers behind the winger.
It’s indubitably that every one eyes shall be on Jeremy Doku as Belgium search to Preserve their good house document so as to qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals. The Purple Devils through its official X deal with, posted an unique video of the star winger in motion towards Kazakhstan to remind followers what he can do on his day and they are going to be hoping he brings his A recreation towards Liechtenstein later tomorrow. Watch video under:
Liechtenstein shall be with none new absentees from their earlier match, however goalkeeper Emanuel Zünd and ahead Sandro Wolfinger will have to be at their greatest to assist hold the scoreline respectable. The guests are anticipated to area an analogous lineup to their 1-0 loss to Wales, specializing in defensive group whereas hoping for counter-attacking alternatives.
Potential Lineups
Belgium attainable beginning lineup:
Sels; Castagne, De Winter, Theate, De Cuyper; Onana, Raskin; Lukebakio, Vanaken, Doku; Openda
Liechtenstein attainable beginning lineup:
Buchel; Meier, Malin, Goppel; N. Hasler, Sele, Luchinger, A. Hasler, Hofer; Pizzi, Salanovic
Additionally in preparation for the essential recreation towards Liechtenstein, Belgium through its official X deal with shared the spotlight of the captain Hans Vanaken’s aim on Saturday towards Kazakhstan, which might function a morale enhance for each the staff and the followers. They posted:
Belgium are overwhelming favorites to safe the three factors, with Doku anticipated to guide the road in an attacking show whereas the midfield dominates possession. Liechtenstein’s defensive weak spot, mixed with Belgium’s house document in World Cup qualifiers, recommend this shall be a one-sided affair. Count on the Purple Devils to claim management early and preserve it all through.
Prediction: Belgium 4–0 Liechtenstein
