Few European fixtures have swung as sharply as England against Belgium. For nearly a century England dominated the series, then the Belgian “golden generation” arrived and turned it into a real contest. Fans searching for England National Football Team vs Belgium National Football Team lineups usually want to know who started the last meeting, who is likely to play next time, and what the recent record says. This article covers all three. One caveat first: as of 29 October 2026, I could not find a confirmed upcoming England v Belgium fixture. The lineups below are therefore the verified XIs from the most recent meeting and the current state of both squads. The projected XIs are my own estimates, not official team sheets.
Where the Two Teams Stand Right Now
Both nations come off the 2026 World Cup in different moods. England reached the semi-finals and finished third after a 6-4 win over France in the third-place match. Thomas Tuchel’s group has been refreshed rather than rebuilt: 17 players from his World Cup squad were retained in his first squad of the new cycle.
Belgium’s tournament ended on 10 July with a 1-2 defeat to Spain. Rudi Garcia, who replaced Domenico Tedesco in January 2025, has had a mixed start in the 2026-27 Nations League. In Group A1 Belgium beat Italy 2-0 in Rome, with goals from Mika Godts and Dodi Lukébakio. They then lost 0-1 and 1-4 to France either side of a 3-0 win over Türkiye, and sit on six points from four games.
The Last Meeting: Verified Lineups from England 2-2 Belgium (26 March 2024)
The most recent England National Football Team vs Belgium National Football Team lineups on record come from a friendly at Wembley on 26 March 2024. It finished 2-2, a result England rescued deep into stoppage time. Gareth Southgate made five changes after the defeat to Brazil three days earlier, and Declan Rice captained England on his 50th cap.
England’s XI (Gareth Southgate)
England started with Jordan Pickford; Ezri Konsa, Lewis Dunk, John Stones and Ben Chilwell; Declan Rice (captain) and Kobbie Mainoo; Jarrod Bowen, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden; and Ivan Toney. Here is what each player did:
- Jordan Pickford (GK, Everton): Beaten when Amadou Onana intercepted his clearance and Tielemans scored into the corner he had vacated, but he parried a low Jeremy Doku shot.
- Ezri Konsa (RB, Aston Villa): One of three players making a first England start.
- Lewis Dunk (CB, Brighton): Came in after the Brazil defeat and played in a back line disrupted early by an injury.
- John Stones (CB, Manchester City): Went off injured on 10 minutes and was replaced by Joe Gomez.
- Ben Chilwell (LB, Chelsea): Started in the back four.
- Declan Rice (CM, Arsenal): Captained England for the first time at Wembley.
- Kobbie Mainoo (CM, Manchester United): Made his first England start and tested Matz Sels with a shot from the edge of the box.
- Jarrod Bowen (RW, West Ham): Created England’s first chance with a surging run, and had a headed goal ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
- Jude Bellingham (AM, Real Madrid): Scored the equaliser in stoppage time, finishing a cut-back from James Maddison.
- Phil Foden (LW, Manchester City): Shot wide from an angle after being played in by Bowen.
- Ivan Toney (ST, Brentford): Scored his first England goal from the penalty spot after a lengthy VAR check, beating Sels.
England’s substitutes were Joe Gomez (for Stones), James Maddison (for Mainoo), Ollie Watkins (for Toney) and Anthony Gordon (for Bowen).
Belgium’s XI (Domenico Tedesco)
Belgium started with Matz Sels; Zeno Debast, Jan Vertonghen, Arthur Theate and Timothy Castagne; Amadou Onana, Orel Mangala and Youri Tielemans; and Jérémy Doku, Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard. Their roles:
- Matz Sels (GK): Made saves from Toney, Mainoo, Bellingham and Bowen but was powerless to stop the late goal.
- Zeno Debast, Jan Vertonghen, Arthur Theate and Timothy Castagne (back line): A shaky defence. Vertonghen’s lunge conceded the penalty, and Debast nearly sliced into his own goal.
- Amadou Onana and Orel Mangala (midfield): Provided the physical base, and Onana’s interception led to the first goal.
- Youri Tielemans (CM): The match-winner on paper, with a brace: a first-time finish early on, then a far-post header nine minutes before half-time.
- Jérémy Doku (LW): A constant threat on the counter, combining with Tielemans on breaks.
- Romelu Lukaku (ST): Supplied a cross with the outside of his foot for Tielemans’ second.
- Leandro Trossard (RW): Started on the right before being replaced.
Belgium’s substitutes were Dodi Lukebakio, Aster Vranckx, Thomas Meunier, Lois Openda, Michy Batshuayi and Wout Faes.
Tactical Takeaways
England dominated possession, finishing with 63% of the ball, six corners and six shots on target. Belgium were lethal on the break and took both of their early-lead chances. The 2024 match followed a familiar pattern: England controlled the game but were vulnerable to quick transitions, a recurring theme in meetings since 2018.
Current England Squad: Who Would Feature Under Tuchel
Any new England National Football Team vs Belgium National Football Team lineups would look very different from 2024. Tuchel’s core includes Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Marc Guéhi and Jordan Pickford. Players to know:
- Harry Kane (ST): The captain and focal point, and in strong form for England this autumn.
- Jude Bellingham (AM/CM): Still the creative heartbeat, and the scorer of England’s late equaliser against Belgium in 2024.
- Bukayo Saka (RW): A consistent right-sided threat with a strong goalscoring record for England.
- Marc Guéhi (CB): The cornerstone of the back line.
- Jordan Pickford (GK): The first-choice goalkeeper.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB): Returned after more than a year away from the national team.
- Declan Rice, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer and Tino Livramento: Among those who withdrew from the autumn squad through injury, but all central to Tuchel’s plans when fit.
- Calvert-Lewin, Lewis Hall, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Jarrad Branthwaite: Brought back or given renewed opportunities.
Projected England XI (4-2-3-1), My Own Prediction
Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Guéhi, Branthwaite, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Mainoo; Saka, Bellingham, Palmer; Kane. This assumes full fitness and a back four. Tuchel’s tactics have been hard to categorise, so treat it as a best guess.
Current Belgium Squad: Garcia’s Red Devils
Belgium are a blend of ageing stars and younger Premier League and Serie A talent. Garcia’s World Cup squad was led by Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, with Doku, Trossard, Tielemans and Onana named alongside them.
- Thibaut Courtois (GK, Real Madrid): Belgium’s biggest star in goal, back in the fold after a falling-out with the previous coach.
- Matz Sels (GK, Nottingham Forest) and Senne Lammens (GK, Manchester United): Goalkeeping alternatives, with Sels the starter in 2024.
- Zeno Debast, Arthur Theate, Timothy Castagne and Max De Kuyper (defence): Experienced defenders named for the World Cup, including several Premier League-based players.
- Kevin De Bruyne (AM/CM): A fourth World Cup at 34, and Belgium’s joint-top World Cup assister with four.
- Youri Tielemans (CM): The 2024 match-winner, a Premier League regular.
- Amadou Onana (CM): The physical midfielder who started the move for the 2024 opener.
- Nicolas Raskin, Axel Witsel and Hans Vanaken (midfield): Further central options. Witsel is at his fourth World Cup.
- Romelu Lukaku (ST): Belgium’s all-time record scorer, with 89 goals in 124 caps. He had played only 69 minutes of first-team football in 2026 before the World Cup, so his fitness is a question.
- Jérémy Doku (LW): Named as the player most likely to make the difference.
- Leandro Trossard, Charles De Ketelaere, Dodi Lukébakio, Lois Openda, Alexis Saelemaekers, Mika Godts and Lucas Stassin (attack): Attacking depth. Godts and Lukébakio scored in the 2-0 win over Italy.
Projected Belgium XI (4-2-3-1), My Own Prediction
Courtois; Castagne, Debast, [centre-back], Theate; Onana, Tielemans; Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard; Lukaku or Lukébakio up front. Belgium’s centre-back pairing is genuinely uncertain, and Garcia’s selections have varied, so this is deliberately cautious.
England vs Belgium: Last 10 Matches
Here are the ten most recent meetings, most recent first. Results come from the 11v11 head-to-head record, with match details from The FA’s match centre where available.
| # | Date | Competition | Fixture (home v away) | Score | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 Mar 2024 | Friendly | England v Belgium | 2-2 | Wembley | Tielemans (2); Toney (pen), Bellingham 90+5′ |
| 2 | 15 Nov 2020 | UEFA Nations League | Belgium v England | 2-0 | Leuven | Tielemans, Mertens |
| 3 | 11 Oct 2020 | UEFA Nations League | England v Belgium | 2-1 | Wembley | Lukaku; Rashford, Mount |
| 4 | 14 Jul 2018 | World Cup (3rd place) | Belgium v England | 2-0 | St Petersburg | Meunier, Hazard |
| 5 | 28 Jun 2018 | World Cup (Group G) | England v Belgium | 0-1 | Kaliningrad | Belgium win |
| 6 | 2 Jun 2012 | Friendly | England v Belgium | 1-0 | Wembley | England win |
| 7 | 10 Oct 1999 | Friendly | England v Belgium | 2-1 | Sunderland | England win |
| 8 | 29 May 1998 | King Hassan II Cup | Belgium v England | 0-0 | Casablanca | England lost on penalties |
| 9 | 27 Jun 1990 | World Cup (last 16) | England v Belgium | 1-0 | Bologna | Platt, in extra time |
| 10 | 12 Jun 1980 | Euro 1980 (group) | Belgium v England | 1-1 | Turin | Draw |
Across these ten meetings England have won four, drawn three and lost three, scoring nine goals and conceding ten. The wider picture still favours England: across 26 meetings they have 16 wins, 5 draws and 5 defeats, according to Sports Mole. Three of England’s five defeats have come since 2018, which shows how the balance has shifted. Different sources count the early matches slightly differently, so totals can vary by one game.
Why This Fixture Matters
A role reversal. England lost just one of their first 21 games against Belgium, between 1921 and 2012. They have since lost three of four, before the 2-2 draw in 2024 improved the record slightly.
Tournament heartbreak. Both 2018 meetings at the World Cup went Belgium’s way: a 1-0 group-stage win and a 2-0 victory in the third-place match, which ended England’s chance of an additional medal.
Belgium’s struggle at Wembley. Belgium had lost six of their seven away games in England before 2024, and the 2-2 draw was their best result there. They are still yet to win on English soil.
A shared generational shift. Both nations are in transition. England are refreshing a successful squad, while Belgium are trying to move on from the golden generation of De Bruyne, Lukaku and Courtois.
What to Watch for in a Future Meeting
Kane and Bellingham against a patchy Belgian defence. Belgium conceded freely in several recent matches, including four against France, and England’s attacking quality could exploit that.
Doku against England’s full-backs. The Belgian winger is the most dangerous dribbler on either side and caused problems on the break in 2024.
Midfield control. Rice and Mainoo against De Bruyne and Tielemans would be a defining duel.
Lukaku’s fitness. If Belgium’s record scorer is match-fit, he gives them a physical reference point England have struggled with.
Goalkeepers. Pickford against Courtois, two of the most experienced goalkeepers in Europe, could decide a tight match.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When did England and Belgium last play each other?
They last met on 26 March 2024 in a friendly at Wembley, which finished 2-2. Youri Tielemans scored twice for Belgium, while Ivan Toney (a penalty) and Jude Bellingham, in stoppage time, scored for England. I couldn’t find any scheduled meeting since then.
2. Who has the better head-to-head record?
England, comfortably. Across 26 meetings, England have won 16, drawn 5 and lost 5. However, Belgium have won three of the last four competitive meetings between the sides.
3. Who scored in the 2024 England v Belgium match?
Tielemans scored in the 11th and 36th minutes for Belgium. Toney equalised from the penalty spot in the 17th minute, and Bellingham scored the 2-2 equaliser in the final seconds, assisted by James Maddison.
4. Have England and Belgium met at a World Cup?
Yes, four times: a 4-4 draw in 1954, a 1-0 England win in 1990 after extra time, and two Belgian wins in 2018 (1-0 in the group stage and 2-0 in the third-place match).
5. Which players are likely to lead each team in a future match?
For England, expect Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Marc Guéhi and Jordan Pickford, subject to fitness. For Belgium, Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku, Youri Tielemans and Romelu Lukaku are the main names. Check official team sheets about an hour before kick-off, because injuries and rotation can change the picture.
Final Thoughts
Whenever England and Belgium next meet, the England National Football Team vs Belgium National Football Team lineups will tell an interesting story. England bring a settled, successful core under Tuchel, while Belgium blend the last of the golden generation with newer talent under Garcia. History favours England, but the recent trend does not, which makes this one of the more evenly balanced fixtures in European football.
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