Our Belgium vs France prediction: France to avoid defeat in Brussels tonight, with both teams to score. Both sides won their Nations League openers, but France arrive without Kylian Mbappé, who has left the squad with a knee injury. Belgium are unbeaten in nine home games, so expect a tighter contest than France’s recent dominance of this fixture suggests.
This is the headline game of Monday night’s UEFA Nations League action, and it pits two new head coaches against each other: Mark van Bommel for Belgium and Zinedine Zidane for France. Both men made winning starts last week, which means the winner tonight takes early control of League A Group 1.
Belgium vs France: Key Match Facts
- Competition: UEFA Nations League, League A, Group 1 (matchday 2)
- Date: Monday, 28 September 2026
- Kick-off: 9:45pm EAT
- Venue: King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels
- Belgium’s last game: Won 2-0 away to Italy (Godts, Lukebakio)
- France’s last game: Won 1-0 away to Turkey (Mbappé)
- Recent head to head: France have won the last five meetings
Belgium Form: A Bright Start Under Van Bommel
Belgium could hardly have asked for a better opening night under their new coach. They went to Italy and won 2-0, with Mika Godts scoring in the first half and Dodi Lukebakio adding the second after the break. It was also Belgium’s first clean sheet in five matches, a sign that Van Bommel has already tightened things up at the back.
Home form is another reason for Belgian optimism. The Red Devils are unbeaten in their last nine matches on home soil, winning six of them. Tonight is Van Bommel’s first home game in charge, and the Brussels crowd will expect a performance.
Belgium Team News
Leandro Trossard is ruled out with a heel injury, which takes away one of Belgium’s most experienced wide players. The expected line-up keeps most of the side that won in Italy, with Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings behind Charles De Ketelaere and Godts looking to build on his goal.
Possible Belgium XI: Lammens; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Raskin, Tielemans; Moreira, De Bruyne, Godts; De Ketelaere.
France Form: Life Without Mbappé Begins
Zidane’s long awaited first game as France coach ended in a narrow 1-0 win in Turkey, but the result came at a cost. Mbappé scored the only goal and then had to come off with a problem in his left knee. Zidane admitted afterwards that the injury did not look good and that France would not take any risks, and the Real Madrid forward has since left the camp to be treated at his club.
France were not at their most fluent in that game even with their captain on the pitch. They needed a single goal to get past a Turkey side that finished with ten men, and that goal came from the player they have now lost. Removing their main goal threat makes tonight’s task harder.
What France do still have is huge depth and a strong away record. Heading into this trip, Les Bleus had won eight and drawn one of their last nine away matches.
France Team News
Mbappé is the big absentee. Ousmane Dembélé is expected to lead the line, with Michael Olise and Désiré Doué either side of him and Rayan Cherki adding creativity from midfield.
Possible France XI: Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Lacroix, Truffert; Cherki, Koné, Rabiot; Olise, Dembélé, Doué.
Head to Head: France Have Owned This Fixture
Belgium have not beaten France since June 2015. Since then France have won five meetings in a row, including the 2018 World Cup semi-final and the 2021 Nations League semi-final, two of the most painful nights for Belgium’s so called golden generation. The personnel have changed a lot since then, but the pattern is hard to ignore.
Belgium vs France Prediction and Betting Tips
On paper this looks closer than recent history. Belgium have momentum, a new coach bounce and a strong home record. France have more quality across the squad, but losing Mbappé changes the balance of their attack, and they looked short of sharpness in Turkey.
We still lean towards France not losing. Their away record is excellent, and players like Dembélé, Olise and Doué can hurt a Belgium defence that had gone four games without a clean sheet before the win in Italy. At the same time, Belgium at home with De Bruyne on the ball should create enough to score.
- Main pick: France or draw (double chance)
- Alternative: Both teams to score: Yes
- Correct score idea: Belgium 1-2 France
For more fixtures and data driven picks, check our latest football predictions. If you missed the other big Nations League story of the weekend, read our report on England 2-3 Spain at Wembley, and see where Mbappé sits in our Ballon d’Or 2026 contenders guide. Official fixtures and standings are on UEFA.com.
FAQ: Belgium vs France
What time is Belgium vs France in Kenya?
Belgium vs France kicks off at 9:45pm East Africa Time on Monday, 28 September 2026, at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.
Is Mbappé playing for France against Belgium?
No. Mbappé injured his left knee while scoring against Turkey and has left the France squad to be treated in Madrid.
Who has won more recent Belgium vs France games?
France have won the last five meetings. Belgium’s last win over France came in June 2015.
What is the best bet for Belgium vs France?
Our main pick is France or draw on the double chance market, with both teams to score as an alternative. No bet is ever guaranteed, so stake only what you can afford.
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