Pre-World Cup 2026 friendly: Croatia-Belgium, likely lineups

This evening at 6 p.m., ahead of the imminent start of the 2026 World Cup, Rijeka’s Stadion Rijeka is preparing to host a highly prestigious friendly between Croatia and Belgium. It is a crucial test for two already established realities of European soccer, who will use this test to polish the last tactical details and assess their physical condition just a few days before the World Cup debut. Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia comes to the appointment on the strength of a near-perfect qualifying run, marked by seven wins and one draw; despite the recent friendly stop against Brazil, which interrupted a long positive streak, the group keeps intact its certainties and the experience needed to compete at the highest level. Belgium responds with the excellent roster imprinted by Rudi Garcia’s management, where the Red Devils, unbeaten for 11 consecutive matches, arrive in Rijeka with high spirits after the excellent offensive responses that came in the tests against the United States and Mexico.

Zlatko picks a very balanced lineup with several champions. In front of Livakovic, the three-man defensive line will consist of Pongracic, Vuskovic and Gvardiol. In midfield, Stanisic and Perisic will act on the outside lanes, while the keys to the midfield will be entrusted to the pair formed by Modric and Pasalic. In the three-quarter, Kramaric and Baturina will be tasked with moving between the lines to trigger the only advanced point of reference, Budimir.

Garcia responds with a more closed and solid defensive team. Courtois will defend the front posts, protected in the center by De Winter and Theate, with Castagne and De Cuyper as full-backs. In the midfield, Tielemans and Witsel will act as a filter in front of the rearguard, while the top-quality trio of Saelemaekers, De Bruyne and Doku will act in the three-quarter behind the Fernandez-Pardo offensive terminal.

Probable lineup:

Croatia (3-4-2-1): Livakovic; Pongracic, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Stanisic, Modric, Pasalic, Perisic; Kramaric, Baturina; Budimir. All. Zlatko.

Belgium (4-2-3.1): Courtois; Castagne, De Winter, Theate, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Witsel; Saelemaekers, De Bruyne, Doku; Fernandez-Pardo. All. Garcia.