Belgium dey just one win away from sealing their spot for the 2026 World Cup, and as Group J leaders, dem dey travel go face Kazakhstan wey don already crash out. After Belgium hammer the Kazakhs 6-0 for September, the Red Devils dey ready finish qualification work for Astana Arena.
Match Preview
Belgium show strong mentality last month as dem come back from early goal down beat Wales 4-2 for Cardiff. Just three days after disappointing 0-0 draw with North Macedonia, dem respond sharp with two goals for each half — including two penalties from Kevin De Bruyne.
Na the second time Belgium dey run riot against Wales this campaign — dem don win 4-3 before — and scoring no be their problem at all. Even without injured striker Romelu Lukaku, Belgium don score 21 goals in just six games. Firepower full everywhere.
Dem dey one point ahead of North Macedonia with one game in hand. If dem win this match, qualification go dey sealed before final matchday. Rudi Garcia and him boys still get Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein left, so Belgian fans don dey plan their North America trip already.
For Kazakhstan side, matter don already end. Dem dey six points behind second place with only one match left — qualification don disappear. Ranked 115th for the world, the Hawks don lose four of their seven games; their only wins na against whipping boys Liechtenstein.
Last time out, Kazakhstan shock small as dem hold North Macedonia 1-1 for Skopje, but the test ahead dey bigger. Interim coach Talgat Baysufinov go hope say the result no repeat like September when Belgium beat dem 6-0 after dem hold strong for 40 minutes. That beating scatter any last qualification hope.
Kazakhstan World Cup Qualifying – Europe form:
W L L L W D
Kazakhstan form (all competitions):
L L L L W D
Belgium World Cup Qualifying – Europe form:
D W W W D W
Team News
Because qualification dey on the line, Rudi Garcia go field him strongest XI — but Belgium get three big absentees. Lukaku still out long-term, De Bruyne also sidelined, and Thibaut Courtois withdraw because of adductor injury.
With Courtois out, uncapped Maarten Vandevoordt and Senne Lammens dey hope for debut, but Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels go start.
Replacing Lukaku fit tough because Lois Openda and Charles De Ketelaere never dey sharp for Serie A. So Leandro Trossard or young striker Romeo Vermant fit lead the attack.
For defence, Thomas Meunier go miss out with suspension due to accumulated yellow cards.
Kazakhstan also get their own missing men — injured goalkeeper Aleksandr Zarutskiy and winger Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov no go play.
Zenit defender Nuraly Alip go captain the team, while Chelsea-bound teenager Dastan Satpaev — the highest-valued Kazakh player — fit start upfront.
Kazakhstan Possible Starting XI
Seysen; Kairov, Kasym, Alip, Vorogovskiy; Zhukov, Karaman; Sviridov, Samorodov, Chesnokov; Satpayev
Belgium Possible Starting XI
Sels; Castagne, Debast, Theate, De Cuyper; Onana, Tielemans; Saelemaekers, De Ketelaere, Doku; Trossard
Prediction: Kazakhstan 0-2 Belgium
Even though Belgium destroy Kazakhstan for Brussels, this one for Astana no go too open. Without their main striker, Belgium fit struggle to score plenty, but their quality still enough to secure the three points wey go carry dem reach the 2026 World Cup.
