RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Belgium is set to face Spain in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals on Friday, July 10 (local time) after a convincing 4–1 victory over the United States in the Round of 16. The emphatic victory kept the Red Devils' title hopes alive and set up one of the tournament's most anticipated last-eight encounters.

Belgium advanced to the knockout stage following a solid group campaign before producing an impressive display against the tournament hosts. The win over the United States also marked a significant response after the team's disappointing group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Speaking on Voice of Indonesia's World Cup program, Deep Talk Soccer Fiesta! before the Round of 16 match, Consul at the Embassy of Belgium to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, Nicolas de Bonhomme, expressed confidence that Belgium had the experience needed to overcome the United States. He said the Red Devils' long history of success in major international tournaments gave the squad an important advantage.

Nicolas highlighted Belgium's blend of experienced stars and emerging talents as one of the team's greatest strengths. He pointed to Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Thibaut Courtois, alongside promising winger Jérémy Doku, as players capable of making the difference in decisive matches.

He also emphasized that Belgium's strength lies in its collective style of play rather than individual brilliance alone. According to Nicolas, the disappointment of the 2022 World Cup has fueled the team's determination to prove it remains among the world's elite football nations.

Belgium's next challenge comes against Spain, which secured its quarterfinal place after defeating Portugal in the Round of 16. Nicolas described Spain as one of the most consistent teams in international football, citing its success in major tournaments as evidence of the challenge awaiting Belgium.

Despite acknowledging Spain's quality, Nicolas remains optimistic about Belgium's chances of reaching the semifinals. He also praised Belgian supporters for their unwavering passion, saying their encouragement gives the Red Devils extra motivation as they continue their quest for World Cup glory.