Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia has embraced his team’s underdog status ahead of Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final against Spain, insisting the Red Devils are capable of pulling off one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.
Speaking during a pre-match press conference in Los Angeles, Garcia acknowledged that many football fans expect Belgium’s World Cup journey to end against the reigning European champions but said his players are determined to prove the doubters wrong.
“Everyone is already talking about us going home. But we think that we can do it,” Garcia said.
“We think we can pull it off, and we’re going to do everything we can to get to the semi-finals.”
Spain head into the last-eight clash as overwhelming favourites after an impressive campaign that has seen them reach the quarter-finals without conceding a single goal.
Belgium, however, have taken a more difficult route. They narrowly finished top of their group after drawing with Egypt and Iran before mounting a late comeback to eliminate Senegal. Their confidence received a major boost in the Round of 16, where they convincingly defeated co-hosts the United States 4-1.
Garcia highlighted Belgium’s attacking record as proof that his side can compete with any team remaining in the competition. The Red Devils have scored 13 goals, trailing only France and Argentina, while their 107 shots are the second-highest tally in the tournament.
The Belgian coach also dismissed concerns that local supporters in Los Angeles could rally behind Spain after Belgium knocked out the United States.
“We just beat the US in a stadium where almost everyone was against us. I don’t think the conditions will be any more difficult tomorrow,” he said.
“It’s not the fans that score the goals. We’ll focus on our game. Spain are a fantastic football team, but even if we’re the underdogs, we’ll do everything possible to give them a real challenge.”
Veteran striker Romelu Lukaku shared his manager’s confidence, saying Belgium have no intention of ending their World Cup campaign quietly.
“If you manage to get this far, you’re not going to play a game just to go home,” Lukaku said.
“I think we have the talent to compete. Tomorrow, we simply need to play the perfect game.”
The winner of Friday’s blockbuster encounter will book a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals.
