Belgium v France: Preview, expected line-ups, stats and where to watch

Mbappe set to miss out for France

Tom Rostance

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Last Update:

28th September 2026 • 3 min read

Belgium v France: Preview, expected line-ups, stats and where to watch

UEFA Nations League, League A – 2

Belgium BEL

0 – 1

Full Time

France FRA

: Roi Baudouin
: Rade Obrenovic

Michael Olise 88′

Belgium and France face off in the Nations League on the back of opening wins in League A this week.

France began the Zinedine Zidane era with a 1-0 win in Turkey, while Belgium impressed on the road in a 2-0 win over Italy.

In his first job since leaving Antwerp in 2024, former Netherlands international Mark van Bommel is in charge of Belgium and will have enjoyed the quality of his side’s goals in Italy.

Le but victorieux de Kylian Mbappé face à la Turquie (1-0) ! 🇹🇷0-1🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/fJ2nr9dPgr
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) September 26, 2026

“I started (my coaching tenure) last Monday by emphasising intensity and willingness to work,” Van Bommel said.

“The idea has to remain the same. ⁠Of course, you have to take the quality of the opponent into account, but that does not change our style of play.

“If you are beaten ⁠in a situation, that’s not a problem. As long as everyone knows what they have ⁠to do.

“It is special to coach against someone ‌like that [Zidane].

“He was an exceptional footballer ‌and I played against him once, with Barca (Barcelona) against Real Madrid. If a dribbling move is named after you, then you must have done pretty well. As a coach too, of course. He is a ⁠good coach, that’s clear.

“I think it’s a shame that Mbappe isn’t there, because you always want to have the best footballers playing against you. I don’t know exactly what injury he has, but I would have liked him to be there.”

Can they see off their neighbours? Belgium have lost all five of the last five meetings of the sides.

Team news for Belgium v France

Belgium are without former Arsenal man Leandro Trossard who has a heel injury, so Mika Godts should start.

France have a worry over captain Kylian Mbappe.

Real Madrid striker Mbappe collected Michael Olise’s pass inside the box and drilled in after 54 minutes to bring the win in Turkey, only to grimace as the ball hit the net and make way for Desire Doue shortly afterwards.

He is expected to miss out with a knee injury so Ousmane Dembele will lead the attack.