Belgium go continue their 2026 World Cup qualification journey on Thursday as dem dey travel go Vaduz to face Liechtenstein.
Red Devils don collect four points from their first two qualifiers, while Liechtenstein still dey search for first point after three straight defeats.
Match Preview
Liechtenstein sabi say to qualify for their first major tournament no dey realistic, especially as dem dey ranked 204 for FIFA table. But dem still wan improve performance for the last five qualifiers after losing all first three games without scoring.
Konrad Funfstuck team don chop back-to-back home losses to North Macedonia and Kazakhstan, before Wales beat dem 3-0 for June. To add salt to injury, dem still lose 4-0 to Scotland for friendly match – making am five straight defeats.
Last time Liechtenstein avoid defeat na goalless draw with Gibraltar for October Nations League. Facing Belgium for their first-ever competitive meeting go require miracle if dem wan collect anything.
For Belgium side, coach Rudi Garcia dey prepare for him fifth match since he take charge before March Nations League playoff vs Ukraine. He lead dem to 4-3 aggregate win to stay for League A. But World Cup qualifying start no too sweet – 1-1 draw away to North Macedonia, then nearly throw away 3-goal lead vs Wales before Kevin De Bruyne save dem with 88th-minute winner.
Red Devils dey third for Group J, three points behind Wales and four behind leaders North Macedonia, but with two games in hand. Normally Belgium dey strong for qualifiers – dem don win 23 and draw 5 of their last 28 World Cup qualifying matches.
Form Guide
Liechtenstein – World Cup Qualifying: L L L
Liechtenstein – All Competitions: L L L L L L
Belgium – World Cup Qualifying: D W
Belgium – All Competitions: L L L W D W
Team News
Most Liechtenstein players dey play ball for their local league. Goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel go start again, likely with back five: Livio Meier, Lars Traber, Sandro Wieser, Jens Hofer and Max Goppel. Willy Pizzi and Fabio Luque Notaro fit lead attack, though Ferhat Saglam or Dennis Salanovic fit also start.
Belgium go miss Amadou Onana and Romelu Lukaku wey dey injured. Thibaut Courtois go return for goal after missing June internationals. Defense fit be Meunier, Zeno Debast, Arthur Theate and Maxim De Cuyper. New Juventus striker Lois Openda go likely start as number 9.
Liechtenstein possible XI: Buchel; Meier, Traber, Wieser, Hofer, Goppel; Luchinger, Hasler, Sele; Pizzi, Luque Notaro
Belgium possible XI: Courtois; Meunier, Debast, Theate, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Vanaken; Saelemaekers, De Bruyne, Doku; Openda
Prediction
Even without Lukaku, Belgium still get too much firepower. The gap in quality too wide, so we dey expect easy win for Red Devils.
Our Pick: Liechtenstein 0-5 Belgium
