Pre-tournament favorites Spain are set to face Belgium in the second quarterfinal of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The highly anticipated match is scheduled to take place at the Los Angeles Stadium in California, United States, with a noon kickoff (19:00 GMT) on July 10.

This fixture carries significant weight as the winner will secure a coveted spot in the semifinals, where they will meet France. France, the 2018 champions, have already advanced after defeating Morocco in their quarterfinal match.

Spain, who last lifted the World Cup trophy in 2010, have seen their status as top contenders challenged by France's impressive performances throughout the tournament. The French squad, featuring goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele in their latest victory, are now widely considered the most favored team to win the competition.

France is on a quest to reach their third consecutive World Cup final. They were the runners-up in the 2022 tournament held in Qatar, ultimately losing to Argentina. Their semifinal opponents will be determined by the outcome of the Spain versus Belgium match.

Fans can follow the unfolding action and detailed match updates through Al Jazeera Sport's live coverage. The build-up includes pre-match analysis and photo coverage, with minute-by-minute commentary to follow the game's progression. Highlights from previous days of the tournament are also available for viewing.

This quarterfinal represents a crucial stage in the World Cup knockout bracket. Both Spain and Belgium will be aiming to prove their mettle and continue their journey towards football's ultimate prize. The pressure is high, with a semifinal berth and a potential shot at the title on the line.

The path to the final is fraught with challenges, and the encounter between Spain and Belgium is expected to be a tightly contested affair. The strategic decisions of both coaching staffs and the individual brilliance of key players will likely play a decisive role in determining which team progresses.

As the tournament progresses, the narrative surrounding France's dominance continues to grow. However, the unpredictable nature of knockout football means that any team on their day can cause an upset. The outcome of this Spain-Belgium fixture will significantly shape the latter stages of the competition.