Belgium Takes On France in Nations League Showdown: Key Predictions, Lineups, and What to Expect

Once referred to as the Match Sympathique—loosely translated as "the Friendly Match"—Belgium vs. France has historically been a fixture between close geographical neighbors. Nowadays, however, the stakes extend well beyond mere bragging rights.

The two European powerhouses collide in League A, Group A1 on Monday evening, with both nations aiming to secure back-to-back victories in the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League.

Both teams got off to strong starts in the competition. Belgium headed to Italy and returned with a convincing 2–0 win, with exciting young attacker Mika Godts breaking the deadlock before Dodi Lukébakio wrapped up the result with a stunning individual goal. France, meanwhile, handed new head coach Zinedine Zidane a winning debut, defeating Türkiye 1–0 courtesy of a Kylian Mbappé strike.

Mbappé's evening took a painful turn, however, as the France skipper sustained an injury shortly after finding the net. He will be absent for Monday's clash in Brussels, leaving Zidane without his most dangerous attacking weapon as France look to continue their impressive recent run against their neighbors.

With two freshly appointed managers, two winning openers and a wealth of attacking talent on either side, Monday's encounter promises to be anything but sympathique.

Belgium vs. France Score Prediction

No Kylian Mbappé, No Problem

Mbappé is ruled out, and naturally Zidane, his France colleagues and the fans will feel the void. Yet the reality is that Les Bleus possess more than sufficient firepower to manage without their talisman.

From Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé to Rayan Cherki, Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué, Zidane arguably commands one of the most formidable attacking squads in world football. Losing Mbappé is undeniably a significant setback, but France still boasts a remarkable depth of quality to draw from.

And while France has suffered two defeats in the 21 matches Mbappé has missed, the team has generally performed well in his absence. Notably, Les Bleus have not lost a single game without him since 2023, when they fell 1–0 to Germany in a friendly fixture.

Belgium possesses considerable attacking threat of its own, with the impressive Godts, the dependable Romelu Lukaku and the electric pace of Malick Fofana and Loïs Openda. Questions remain at the back, however. Belgium's defensive record at the 2026 World Cup was far from solid, with the Red Devils keeping just one clean sheet on their run to the quarterfinals, where they were eventually eliminated by Spain.

Against a France side brimming with attacking options—even in the absence of Mbappé—that vulnerability could prove costly.

Belgium Predicted Lineup vs. France

Unlike their opponents, Belgium have no significant new injury worries ahead of the match, meaning Mark van Bommel is expected to name an unchanged side from the one that defeated Italy 2–0.

That would see Nathan Ngoy partner Brandon Mechele at the heart of defense, with Timothy Castagne and Maxim De Cuyper filling the fullback roles on either flank.

With Leandro Trossard still on the sidelines as he recovers from a heel problem, Godts is set to start on the left of a three-man attack alongside Kevin De Bruyne and Diego Moreira, with Charles De Ketelaere spearheading the line.

Belgium predicted lineup vs. France (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Castagne, Mechele, Ngoy, De Cuyper; De Bruyne, Moreira, Godts; De Ketelaere.

France Predicted Lineup vs. Beligum

With Mbappé sidelined, Ousmane Dembélé is likely to shift into a central striking role, with Michael Olise and Désiré Doué providing width in attack.

In the middle of the park, Manu Koné is anticipated to serve as the defensive anchor alongside Adrien Rabiot, while Manchester City creator Cherki should operate in a more advanced position as the primary playmaker.

Zidane has little incentive to make sweeping changes after France shut out Türkiye. Adrien Truffert, Maxence Lacroix, Dayot Upamecano and Jules Koundé are therefore expected to keep their defensive spots, with Mike Maignan remaining between the posts.

France predicted lineup vs. Belgium (4-2-1-3): Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Lacroix, Truffert; Rabiot, Koné, Cherki; Olise, Dembélé, Doué.

What Time Does Belgium vs. France Kick Off?

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