France vs Belgium prediction in short: France host Belgium at the Stade de France tonight, Monday 5 October 2026, with kick-off at 9:45pm EAT. Both sides are missing big names, with Kylian Mbappe injured and Dayot Upamecano suspended for France, while Belgium are without the suspended Kevin De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans. Our pick is a France win in a tight game with goals at both ends possible.
This is the second meeting between these neighbours in eight days. France edged the first one 1-0 in Brussels thanks to a late Michael Olise winner, and a second win tonight would put Zinedine Zidane’s side in a commanding position at the top of League A Group 1 of the UEFA Nations League.
France vs Belgium: Key Match Facts
- Competition: UEFA Nations League, League A Group 1, Matchday 4
- Date: Monday 5 October 2026
- Kick-off: 9:45pm EAT
- Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
- Managers: Zinedine Zidane (France), Mark van Bommel (Belgium)
- France form (Nations League): W 1-0 v Turkiye, W 1-0 v Belgium, D 1-1 v Italy
- Belgium form (Nations League): W 2-0 v Italy, L 0-1 v France, W 3-0 v Turkiye
- Group position: France top on 7 points, Belgium second on 6 points
France vs Belgium Team News
France
Les Bleus are still without Kylian Mbappe, who picked up a knee problem in the opening match of this international window and has not featured since. Centre-back Dayot Upamecano is also out after a booking in the 1-1 draw with Italy on Friday left him serving a one-match ban.
That leaves Zidane with a reshuffle at the back. Expect Mike Maignan in goal behind a back four with Pierre Kalulu likely on the right and a new centre-back pairing. In attack, Ousmane Dembele is likely to lead the line, with Michael Olise and Desire Doue providing the width. Rayan Cherki and Eduardo Camavinga are expected to feature in midfield.
Belgium
Belgium’s problems are in the middle of the park. Kevin De Bruyne scored twice in Friday’s 3-0 win over Turkiye but picked up a booking that rules him out of this game, and Youri Tielemans is suspended for the same reason. Without their two most experienced midfielders, Mark van Bommel will lean on Romeo Lavia and Raskin to control the tempo.
Charles De Ketelaere is expected to start in the attacking line, supported by Dodi Lukebakio and Mika Godts. Senne Lammens is the likely goalkeeper.
Possible line-ups
France: Maignan; Kalulu, Jacquet, Lacroix, Truffert; Cherki, Camavinga, Rabiot; Olise, Dembele, Doue.
Belgium: Lammens; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Raskin, Lavia, Vanaken; Lukebakio, De Ketelaere, Godts.
These are expected line-ups only. Confirmed teams are released about an hour before kick-off.
Form Guide and Head to Head
France have not lost in this Nations League campaign. They opened with a narrow 1-0 win in Turkiye, beat Belgium by the same score in Brussels, then were held 1-1 by Italy in Paris on Friday in Zidane’s first home game in charge. That draw was the first time they dropped points, and the performance was not as sharp as their supporters would like. You can read our full report of that game in France 1-1 Italy: Bastoni spoils Zidane’s home debut.
Belgium, by contrast, have bounced back well from that defeat to France. They beat Italy 2-0 on the opening night and then thrashed Turkiye 3-0 on Friday. Recap that win in Belgium 3-0 Turkey: De Bruyne double piles pressure on Turks.
The head-to-head record leans heavily towards France in recent years. Les Bleus have won the last six meetings between the two nations, including the 1-0 win in Brussels on 28 September. That kind of run gives a team a real psychological edge. Our report on that first meeting is here: Belgium 0-1 France: Olise late winner keeps Zidane perfect.
What Is at Stake
Only the top two in each League A group reach the quarter-finals in March 2027. A France win would open a four-point gap over Belgium with two games left, putting Zidane’s side within touching distance of the last eight. A Belgium win would take Van Bommel’s men top. A draw keeps the table tight and gives Italy hope of catching up.
France vs Belgium Prediction and Betting Tips
Both teams are weakened, but France’s squad depth is the bigger advantage. Even without Mbappe, Zidane can call on Dembele, Olise and Doue, a front three that would start for almost any team in Europe. Belgium losing De Bruyne and Tielemans at the same time hurts them more, because those two run their passing game and set pieces.
Belgium have shown they can score, with five goals in their two wins, so a clean sheet for France is not guaranteed, especially with a changed central defence. Home advantage and the long winning run against Belgium tip the balance.
Our prediction: France 2-1 Belgium.
- Main pick: France to win
- Alternative: Over 1.5 goals
- Value angle: France to win and both teams to score
Check the latest odds and markets on JetBet before kick-off, and see more match picks on our predictions page. Official group tables and fixtures are on the UEFA Nations League website.
FAQs
What time is France vs Belgium in Kenya?
France vs Belgium kicks off at 9:45pm East Africa Time on Monday 5 October 2026 at the Stade de France.
Is Mbappe playing for France against Belgium?
No. Kylian Mbappe is out with a knee injury he picked up earlier in this international window.
Why is De Bruyne missing France vs Belgium?
Kevin De Bruyne is suspended after picking up a yellow card in Belgium’s 3-0 win over Turkiye, and Youri Tielemans is banned for the same reason.
Who won the last France vs Belgium match?
France won 1-0 in Brussels on 28 September 2026, with Michael Olise scoring late on. It was their sixth straight win over Belgium.
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