Morocco vs Belgium Prediction, Head-to-Head & Preview — World Cup 2026 Semi-Final

Morocco

VS 14 Jul 2026 · Arlington World Cup 2026 · Semi-final

Belgium

A rematch of one of the defining shocks of the last World Cup. Morocco's 2-0 win over Belgium in 2022 helped bury the Red Devils' golden generation and launched Morocco's run to the semi-finals. If Morocco beat France and Belgium beat Spain in the quarter-finals, the two meet again in the 2026 semi-final with a place in the final at stake. Below: full head-to-head, both routes to the last four, predicted line-ups, key stats and our prediction.

Morocco vs Belgium: Match Information

This is a conditional preview: Morocco must beat France (9 July, Boston) and Belgium must beat Spain (10 July, Los Angeles) for this exact semi-final to happen.

Morocco vs Belgium Head-to-Head Record

The sides are level in their history: four meetings, two wins each. But the most recent result reshaped both nations' recent stories — Morocco's 2-0 win in Qatar.

• 2022 World Cup, group stage: Morocco 2-0 Belgium. Abdelhamid Sabiri's free-kick and a late Zakaria Aboukhlal strike stunned a fading Belgium side and set Morocco on the path to a historic semi-final.
• 2008 friendly: Morocco 4-1 Belgium — Morocco's biggest win in the fixture.
• 1999 friendly: Belgium 4-0 Morocco — Belgium's most emphatic result.
• 1994 World Cup, group stage: Belgium 1-0 Morocco in Orlando.

Both World Cup meetings fell in the group stage, and the two competitive results are split one apiece — but momentum sits firmly with Morocco after 2022. A semi-final would be Belgium's chance at redemption on the biggest stage.

Road to the Semi-Final

Morocco

The AFCON champions have been one of the tournament's most solid teams, unbeaten across five matches with an excellent defensive record. They beat Canada 3-0 in the Round of 16 and reach this stage on the same organisation and physicality that carried them to the 2022 semi-final. Star man Ismael Saibari is a doubt with a hamstring injury. To reach this last-four tie Morocco must first beat tournament favourites France.

Belgium

A renewed Belgium — younger and quicker than the 2022 vintage — have rebuilt around a new core while retaining big-game experience. Their route to a potential semi-final runs through reigning European champions Spain in the quarter-final, a marker of how far this side has come. Belgium's threat lies in transition and set-pieces; their test is breaking down Morocco's disciplined block.

Predicted Line-ups & Team News

Both managers finalise selection only after the quarter-finals, but the likely shapes and key men are clear.

Morocco (4-2-3-1)

Bounou; Hakimi, Riad, Diop, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi; El Khannouss, Ounahi, Díaz; Rahimi. Ismael Saibari's hamstring is the main concern; Soufiane Rahimi is the likely replacement up front, and Achraf Hakimi remains Morocco's talisman and set-piece/penalty specialist.

Belgium (4-2-3-1)

Belgium set up to be compact and dangerous on the counter, with pace out wide and a creative number ten linking play. Final selection depends on fitness and suspensions carried over from the Spain quarter-final.

Key Stats & Match Facts

• Morocco beat Belgium 2-0 at the 2022 World Cup — a result that helped end Belgium's golden generation and started Morocco's run to the semi-finals.
• The all-time record is level: 4 meetings, 2 wins each, no draws.
• Both World Cup meetings (1994 and 2022) came in the group stage — a knockout tie would be new territory for the fixture.
• Morocco's 4-1 win in 2008 is their biggest against Belgium; Belgium's 4-0 in 1999 is theirs against Morocco.
• Morocco are unbeaten in five matches at this World Cup and beat Canada 3-0 in the last 16.
• Morocco were the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final (2022).

Players to Watch

Morocco — Achraf Hakimi. The captain and biggest-game player; overlapping runs, set-pieces and cool finishing from the spot. Brahim Díaz provides creativity between the lines.

Belgium — the counter-attacking edge. Belgium's pace in transition and set-piece threat are their clearest routes past a deep Moroccan defence; a fast start would ease the pressure of the 2022 memory.

Morocco vs Belgium Prediction

Morocco will trust their structure: defend deep, stay compact and hurt Belgium on the counter and from set-pieces through Hakimi — exactly the recipe that worked in 2022. Belgium have pace and quality to trouble them but must be patient and clinical against a block that rarely cracks. Expect a tight, physical game with few clear chances; small margins, a set-piece or a moment of individual brilliance could decide it, and extra time is a real possibility.

Score prediction: Morocco 1-1 Belgium (tight, could go to extra time / penalties; Morocco marginally favoured on defensive resilience).

Betting Odds & Angles

Full markets open once both sides confirm their places. Angles worth tracking given the head-to-head and form:

• Under 2.5 Goals — Morocco's block makes low-scoring likely.
• Morocco or Draw (double chance) — reflects Morocco's knockout resilience and 2022 edge.
• Both Teams to Score - No — Morocco have kept clean sheets throughout the run.

Morocco vs Belgium FAQ

When do Morocco play Belgium at World Cup 2026?

If both win their quarter-finals, on Tuesday 14 July 2026 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington (Dallas), kick-off 15:00 ET / 20:00 BST / 22:00 MSK.

Who has the better head-to-head record?

It is level — four meetings, two wins each. Morocco won the most recent meeting 2-0 at the 2022 World Cup.

What happened when Morocco played Belgium in 2022?

Morocco won 2-0 in the group stage, with a Sabiri free-kick and a late Aboukhlal goal — a result that contributed to Belgium's early exit and Morocco's run to the semi-finals.

Who is the favourite?

It is finely balanced. Morocco's defensive organisation and recent edge give them a slight advantage, but Belgium's pace and quality make them dangerous on the counter.

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