Belgium head to Astana knowing that one last push could seal their place at the 2026 World Cup. Their climb to the top of Group J has been steady, and recent SoftFootball coverage has highlighted the individual sparks behind that rise, including Jeremy Doku’s Matchweek recognition in England.
Revisiting Belgium’s 4-2 win over Wales, where Kevin De Bruyne’s brace restored their authority in the group and reminded everyone how dangerous they remain even when not at full strength.
Kazakhstan come into the match in a different place entirely. Their campaign is already over, but the mood in the camp has shifted since their heavy 6-0 loss to Belgium in Brussels. With interim coach Talgat Baysufinov settling things down, they are unbeaten in their last two matches. Those four points may not change the table, but they have restored some belief before closing out the group on home soil.
Belgium arrive without several of their headline players. De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Malick Fofana and Zeno Debast are out, and Thibaut Courtois remains uncertain. Rudi Garcia will still expect control, though, especially considering Belgium’s sharpness in their last two away qualifiers, where they scored a combined ten goals.
For Kazakhstan, the missing names are also significant. Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov and goalkeeper Aleksandr Zarutskiy are unavailable, leaving captain Nuraly Alip with added responsibility at the back. Galymzhan Kenzhebek, who was involved in three goals in their last home match, is the player they look to for urgency on the break.
A post from the Belgian Red Devils’ official X account announces the team’s travel to Kazakhstan for their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier, where victory would clinch qualification.
Check the post below:
Team News
Kazakhstan miss Zaynutdinov and Zarutskiy through injury. Alip leads the defence, with Kenzhebek expected to carry their attacking threat.
Belgium travel without De Bruyne, Lukaku, Debast and Fofana. Sels should start in goal, while Lois Openda is likely to lead the line.
Possible Lineups
Kazakhstan: Seysen; Kairov, Kasym, Alip, Vorogovskiy; Zhukov, Karaman; Sviridov, Samorodov, Chesnokov; Satpayev.
Belgium: Sels; Castagne, Debast, Theate, De Cuyper; Onana, Tielemans; Saelemaekers, De Ketelaere, Doku; Trossard.
Softfootball’s Prediction
Belgium are favourites, even short-handed. Kazakhstan may keep things tighter than in September, but Belgium should still control the match.
Prediction: Kazakhstan 0–3 Belgium
