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Two teams who failed to win any of their opening two World Cup 2026 games clash in the round of 32 as Belgium face Senegal in Seattle on Wednesday night.
Belgium ended up topping their group with five points after winning their last match 5-1 against New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Senegal thrashed Iraq 5-0 to accumulate their first points of the tournament, which was enough to send them through despite 3-1 and 3-2 defeats to France and Norway respectively.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions, as well as our best fifa world cup betting offers.
Belgium vs. Senegal key stats
- Belgium are on their second-longest unbeaten run in their history (W10, D6).
- Belgium have also lost just once in six World Cup games against African teams (W3, D2).
- Only Norway's matches produced more goals (15) than Senegal's 14 in the group stage.
Belgium vs. Senegal preview: Senegal to cause an upset?
| Belgium | vs | Senegal |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | FIFA Ranking | 15 |
| Axel Witsel (138) | Most Caps | Idrissa Gueye (134) |
| Romelu Lukaku (91) | Most Goals | Sadio Mane (55) |
| 1133 | Total Caps | 1043 |
| 219 | Total Goals | 139 |
| 1 | Uncapped Players | 0 |
Belgium's golden generation containing the likes of Eden Hazard and Vincent Kompany have surpassed them, and so expectations are lower for what was once the number-one ranked side by FIFA.
However, the Red Devils still possess plenty of quality, which was evident in their 5-1 thrashing of New Zealand.
That win increased their impressive unbeaten streak to 16 games in all competitions (W10, D6), and Rudi Garcia will be aiming to make it 17 here.
Belgium also have a fully-fit squad to choose from, but Senegal will not be easy opposition to get past.
Ranked only six places below their opponents in the FIFA rankings, they have reached the knockouts for a third successive World Cup.
However, Senegal were beaten by European opposition on both previous occasions in Turkey and England, and will want to avoid a repeat here.
Pape Thiaw's side will have to get through without first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy though, who is still injured.
Otherwise, they have a strong squad that can match Belgium's, and it would not be a major surprise should they triumph.
Belgium vs. Senegal form guide & betting tips
| Belgium | vs | Senegal |
|---|---|---|
WWDDW |
Form | LDLLW |
| 13 | Goals For | 10 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 9 |
DDW |
World Cup 2026 | LLW |
Whispers predicts: Belgium 2-2 Senegal (Senegal to win after extra-time/penalties)
Belgium are 13/10 (2.30) favourites to win, and 4/6 (1.67) to qualify.
However, Senegal's odds are not much longer, and in what could be an evenly-contested match, we are happy to back the underdogs.
Senegal to qualify at 7/5 (2.40) therefore appeals as a opening bet.
With both teams scoring five goals in their last outings, we can see plenty of goals here, and Over 3.5 goals at 29/10 (3.90) could be worth backing.
Likewise, BTTS – Yes at 10/11 (1.91) could also come through, having done so in two of both teams' three group matches.
Overall, we are predicting a 2-2 draw in normal time, which is available at 16/1 (17.00).
> BTTS – Yes at 10/11 (1.91) | Likelihood: Probable
> Senegal to qualify at 7/5 (2.40) | Likelihood: Possible
> Over 3.5 goals at 29/10 (3.90) | Likelihood: Possible