Overview
The Northern province team has had an impressive streak of form recently. They started their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in Europe with a 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein. Then there was the unfortunate 1-1 draw with Wales. With these results, the North Macedonia has had a streak of 8 unbeaten matches since June 2024.
However, North Korea's ambition to qualify for a World Cup for the first time will face many difficulties. They have to face Belgium in the third match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Europe.
Meanwhile, Belgium is in a period of decline since EURO 2024. The 2024-2025 Nations League record is also not positive, causing coach Domenico Tedesco to be fired and replaced by Rudi Garcia.
Belgium under Rudi Garcia have won 1 and drawn 1 in their last 2 matches. The strategist's goal will be to bring Belgium through the qualifying round to the World Cup next summer.
The Belgian squad has weakened a lot since its peak, including the age of key players like Kevin De Bruyne. However, they are still considered much better than Northern Macedonia in terms of human resources. This is the basis for believing that Rudi Garcia's team will win.
So far, North Macedonia and Belgium have only faced each other twice, all of which took place in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Belgium won both of those matches and kept a clean sheet.
Personnel situation
North Macedonia coach Blagoja Milevski will have to make at least one change as defender Nikola Serafimov is suspended. Meanwhile, Darko Velkovski is injured.
On the other side of the front line, Belgium's injury list is increasing. Notably, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is likely to be absent due to a back injury.
Expected lineup:
Northern province: Dimitrievski, Zajkov, Ashkovski, Musliu, Ilievski, Alimi, Kostadinov, Alioski, Bardhi, Miovski, Elmas.
Belgium: Sels, Meunier, Faes, Debast, Theate, De Bruyne, Tielemans, Vanaken, Trossard, Doku, Lukaku.
The match between North Macedonia and Belgium takes place at 1:45 am on June 7 (Vietnam time).
