First against second. France host Belgium this Monday, 5 October 2026 at the Stade de France, a week after beating them in Brussels, in the last match of their international window. Kick-off at 20:45 CET, live on TF1 in France. Both sides are missing suspended key players: Dayot Upamecano for France, Kevin De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans for Belgium.
Where do Zidane's France stand?
France are still unbeaten under Zinedine Zidane: 1-0 wins in Turkey and then in Belgium, where Michael Olise scored in the 88th minute (Belgium - France), then a 1-1 draw with Italy on Friday (France - Italy). They lead Belgium by one point, and a win would give them a firm grip on a quarter-final place.
Upamecano, sent off in the 85th minute against Italy, is suspended. Kylian Mbappe, injured in the left knee in Izmit, misses his third match.
Zidane has promised changes without saying which. Foot Mercato expects this eleven: Maignan; Kounde, Jacquet, Lacroix, Truffert; Kone, Camavinga, Cherki; Olise, Lepaul, Barcola. Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue would start on the bench.
What does Zidane say before Belgium?
"It was great to be with the players for 15 days. It's frustrating because it's going to stop. There is one last push to make," the coach said at Sunday's press conference. On whether France must win: "We always want to win. We are competitors. But the important thing is to prepare well."
How good are Belgium without De Bruyne?
Beaten in Brussels, Mark van Bommel's Belgium bounced back on Friday by thrashing Turkey 3-0, with two goals from De Bruyne. But the playmaker and Tielemans were both booked, which means a suspension: the two midfielders had started all three matches of the van Bommel era. Their coach calls it a considerable loss.
Belgium's line-up as expected by Foot Mercato: Lammens; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, Seys; Raskin, Lavia, Trossard; Lukebakio, De Ketelaere, Godts.
Recent history clearly favours France: they have won the last six meetings, and Belgium's last win dates back to 2015.
What are the standings in France's group?
After three matchdays, group A1 stands as follows:
- France: 7 points
- Belgium: 6 points
- Italy: 4 points
- Turkey: 0 points
Italy host Turkey at the same time, in Bologna. The top two go through to the quarter-finals, the bottom side drops to League B.
What is France's Nations League schedule?
- Friday 25 September: Turkey - France, 0-1
- Monday 28 September: Belgium - France, 0-1
- Friday 2 October: France - Italy, 1-1
- Monday 5 October, 20:45 CET: France - Belgium, at the Stade de France
- Thursday 12 November: Italy - France
- Sunday 15 November: France - Turkey
Where to watch France - Belgium?
On TF1 and streaming on TF1+ in France, this Monday 5 October at 20:45 CET.
Sources
Foot Mercato — France - Belgique : les compositions probables
beIN Sports — Ligue des Nations : la Belgique affaiblie par deux absences face aux Bleus