Belgium’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins under the Friday night lights in Skopje, where a resilient North Macedonia side awaits them in Group J action. While this marks Belgium’s opening fixture of the qualifying campaign, their hosts are already two games in and dreaming of making history.
North Macedonia may not boast a storied history on the world stage, but their recent rise has been nothing short of remarkable. With Euro 2020 still a proud memory as their first major tournament appearance, the Balkan nation is now targeting an even bigger stage: the World Cup.
Their qualifying campaign for 2026 began brightly. A dominant 3-0 home victory over Liechtenstein in March reminded fans that this is a side on the up. They nearly followed it up with another win, only to be denied by Wales’ David Brooks in the sixth minute of stoppage time after Bojan Miovski had put them ahead late. The 1-1 draw, while disappointing, stretched North Macedonia’s unbeaten run to eight matches across all competitions, a streak that dates back to June 2024.
More impressively, they have not lost a competitive fixture since a 5-2 defeat to Italy in the final round of Euro 2024 qualifiers. Such form, paired with their promotion from UEFA Nations League C in late 2024, suggests that Blagoja Milevski’s men have found both rhythm and resilience.
However, standing in their way is a formidable Belgium side, a team ranked eighth in the world, 59 places above North Macedonia. For all their recent success, this will be the ultimate litmus test.
For Belgium, the 2026 cycle begins with a clean slate and a new man at the helm. Rudi Garcia, appointed earlier this year after Domenico Tedesco’s turbulent spell, is tasked with reigniting a squad still brimming with talent but burdened by underperformance.
Tedesco’s tenure ended in disappointment: an early exit at Euro 2024 followed by a Nations League campaign that saw Belgium lose four of their six matches and finish in the relegation playoff zone of League A2. Garcia’s start was not perfect either, Belgium fell 3-1 in the first leg of their playoff against Ukraine, but a clinical 3-0 second-leg win ensured their top-tier Nations League status remains intact.
Now, Garcia shifts his attention fully to World Cup qualification, aiming to guide Belgium to a fourth straight appearance on football’s grandest stage. With Wales, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, and North Macedonia forming Group J, the Red Devils are expected to top the table, but recent away form adds a layer of caution.
Their last away win came in October 2023, a 3-2 result against Austria. Since then, Belgium have struggled on the road, and Garcia will be eager to change that narrative in Skopje. Historically, Belgium have had the upper hand in this fixture, winning three of their four meetings against North Macedonia. They triumphed 2-0 in their last World Cup qualifier on Macedonian soil back in 2013, and crushed the same opponents 5-0 in a Euro qualifier in 1995.
Yet this Macedonian side is far more mature and organised than those of the past. If Belgium arrive expecting an easy ride, they may be in for a shock. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
North Macedonia head into Friday’s crucial World Cup qualifier with no reported injury or suspension concerns, offering head coach Blagoja Milevski the luxury of fielding his strongest XI. The stability within the squad will be crucial as they look to build on their unbeaten start to the campaign against one of Europe’s elite sides.
The team is expected to line up in a 3-4-1-2 formation that emphasises defensive solidity while providing fluid options in transition. Valencia shot-stopper Stole Dimitrievski will start in goal, bringing his experience and composure as the last line of defence. Ahead of him, a back three comprising Gjoko Zajkov, Visar Musliu, and Jovan Manev will aim to stay compact and disciplined against Belgium’s potent attack.
In the wing-back roles, Bojan Ilievski on the right and Ezgjan Alioski on the left will look to stretch the play and support both phases of the game. In central midfield, Isnik Alimi and Tihomir Kostadinov are expected to form the engine room, tasked with controlling tempo and breaking up Belgian advances.
Captain Enis Bardhi, the creative heart of the side, will operate just behind the front two. With a knack for timely goals and set-piece precision, Bardhi remains one of North Macedonia’s most dangerous players. Leading the line will be Bojan Miovski, who has netted five times in his last seven internationals, and Eljif Elmas, a technically gifted forward who can drift into wide or deeper areas to link play.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Dimitrievski; Zajkov, Musliu, Manev; Ilievski, Alimi, Kostadinov, Alioski; Bardhi; Miovski, Elmas
Belgium arrive in Skopje with one notable absentee: veteran goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has withdrawn from the squad due to a back issue. The Real Madrid star had been expected to resume his role between the posts but will now watch from the sidelines as he continues his recovery. In his absence, Nordin Jackers of Club Brugge has been drafted in as cover. However, it is Matz Sels of Nottingham Forest, who is expected to start in goal, offering a safe pair of hands and international experience.
There are no suspension concerns for manager Rudi Garcia, who will be looking to make a strong statement in his first World Cup qualifying match as Belgium’s boss. The squad is largely intact, and with several players in top form at club level, expectations remain high despite recent struggles in major tournaments.
Garcia is likely to deploy a 4-3-3 formation with Matz Sels the last line of defence in goal. At the back, Thomas Meunier will operate at right-back, with Wout Faes and Zeno Debast forming the central defensive pairing. On the left side of the defence, Maxim De Cuyper will look to provide both defensive coverage and forward thrust.
In midfield, Kevin De Bruyne is expected to orchestrate play from a slightly advanced position, with Amadou Onana offering defensive stability and Youri Tielemans contributing with transitions and late runs into the box. This midfield trio provides a solid blend of creativity, physicality, and technical quality.
Leading the line will be Romelu Lukaku, who continues to be Belgium’s most prolific goal threat. The Napoli striker, fresh from a Serie A-winning campaign, will be flanked by Leandro Trossard on the left and Jeremy Doku on the right. Both wingers possess the pace and trickery to stretch defences and create space for Lukaku in central areas.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Sels; Meunier, Faes, Debast, De Cuyper; Onana, Tielemans, De Bruyne; Trossard, Lukaku, Doku
As Belgium prepare to face North Macedonia in their opening World Cup 2026 qualifier, Romelu Lukaku stands out as the key figure in Rudi Garcia’s attacking setup. The 31-year-old striker enters the campaign as the Red Devils’ all-time leading goalscorer, with an astonishing 88 goals in 122 international appearances, and he’ll be hungry to add to that tally in Skopje.
Lukaku is coming off a strong domestic season, having helped Napoli clinch the Serie A title with a balanced return of 14 goals and 10 assists, reaffirming his status as one of Europe’s most complete forwards. His recent club form suggests he’s still capable of influencing games at the highest level, and Belgium will rely on his physicality, movement, and finishing to unlock a stubborn North Macedonian defence.
In tight, physical, and potentially cagey matches, it is often Lukaku’s presence that tips the balance. He thrives on service from wide areas and quick transitions, and with creative talents like Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku supplying the ammunition, Belgium will look to their talisman to lead the charge.
Against a side unbeaten in eight matches and playing with momentum, Belgium need their big names to step up, and none will carry more expectation than Lukaku. His ability to dominate defenders and deliver in high-pressure moments makes him the player to watch in Skopje.
While North Macedonia will be buoyed by home support and a solid recent run, Belgium’s quality and attacking depth should eventually shine through. Expect a closely contested battle with the visitors edging it late.
