Croatia vs Belgium Preview, Prediction & Lineups – Pre-World Cup Friendly

Croatia and Belgium meet in one of the most eagerly anticipated pre-tournament friendlies of the entire June window at Stadion Rujevica in Rijeka on Tuesday, 2 June 2026 two top-ten nations whose World Cup preparations collide in a fixture loaded with history and stakes. Croatia won this exact fixture in its most important manifestation: a 0-0 draw at the 2022 World Cup that eliminated Belgium from the tournament in the group stage, one of the most shocking exits of the modern era for a team of the Red Devils’ calibre.

Croatia open Group L against England on June 17 in Dallas a rerun of the 2018 semi-final they won 2-1 in extra time. Belgium face Egypt in Seattle to open Group G on June 15. Head coach Zlatko Dalić described the philosophy: “We don’t shy away from the strongest opponents in friendly matches. It’s the best way to see where we stand and what needs improving.” Tonight they get their answer.

Croatia vs Belgium Match Details

Rijeka serves as Croatia’s World Cup training camp base — meaning tonight’s match doubles as both a pre-tournament farewell to home soil and a final evaluation of squad fitness before departing for Washington on June 9. Croatia’s next friendly after tonight is against Slovenia on June 7, also in Rijeka.

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Croatia Form Guide — Last 5 Matches

Croatia dominated UEFA qualifying Group L — seven wins and one draw from eight matches, scoring 26 goals and conceding just four, sealing qualification on November 14 with a 3-1 home win over the Faroe Islands.

The 2-1 win over Colombia in Orlando was a significant confidence booster — beating a CONMEBOL side ranked in the world’s top 15 in a neutral venue suggested Croatia’s quality levels have not dropped. The 1-3 defeat to Brazil three days later, while concerning, came against one of the tournament favourites and can be placed in context. Kramarić finished qualifying as Croatia’s top scorer with six goals, and Ivan Perišić — who has scored in three consecutive World Cup tournaments — returns to give Dalić a wide option with decades of big-match experience.

Belgium Form Guide — Last 5 Matches

Belgium qualified with an unbeaten run through UEFA Group J and have carried that form into 2026 with a stunning 5-2 victory over the United States in March — the most emphatic recent result of any European nation in North American preparatory football.

The 5-2 win over the United States — featuring all the pace, creativity, and ruthlessness that makes Belgium dangerous — was a major statement of intent. The 1-1 draw in Mexico, while less convincing, showed Rudi Garcia’s side can remain resilient without their best attacking performance. The return of Thibaut Courtois to the national team — after his extended absence during the Tedesco era — has added an elite-level goalkeeper to an already formidable squad and addressed Belgium’s most significant area of uncertainty heading into the tournament.

Croatia vs Belgium Head to Head Record

The head-to-head record between these two nations is perfectly balanced across nine meetings — three wins each and three draws — making tonight one of the most genuinely unpredictable match-ups of the June window.

The defining meeting remains the 2022 World Cup group stage encounter — Croatia’s goalless draw ended Belgium’s tournament, eliminating the Red Devils despite their squad being ranked among the pre-tournament favourites. Lukaku’s missed chances in that match, and De Bruyne’s visible frustration, were the defining images of a Belgium generation that never quite delivered its potential. Tonight has the feel of unfinished business for both sides.

Croatia vs Belgium Predicted Lineups

Dalić is expected to name a near-full-strength XI tonight given the proximity of the England opener — with the exception of managing Modrić’s minutes carefully following his cheekbone fracture. Garcia will deploy his strongest available Belgium starting lineup, with the Egypt opener on June 15 making every preparation detail count.

Croatia Predicted XI (4-3-3): Dominik Livković (GK) | Josip Juranović (RB) | Josip Šutalo (CB) | Joško Gvardiol (CB) | Martin Erlić (LB) | Mateo Kovačić (CDM) | Luka Modrić (CM) | Luka Sučić (CM) | Ivan Perišić (RW) | Andrej Kramarić (ST) | Nikola Vlašić (LW)

Belgium Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Thibaut Courtois (GK) | Timothy Castagne (RB) | Zeno Debast (CB) | Arthur Theate (CB) | Maxim De Cuyper (LB) | Amadou Onana (CDM) | Youri Tielemans (CM) | Jeremy Doku (RW) | Kevin De Bruyne (CAM) | Leandro Trossard (LW) | Romelu Lukaku (ST)

Modrić, at 40 years old and fresh from a cheekbone fracture, represents the greatest selection uncertainty for Croatia — Dalić may manage his minutes carefully, with the AC Milan captain potentially starting and being withdrawn before the hour mark. He enters this match with 196 international caps and could reach the 200-cap milestone during the World Cup itself. Lineups are predicted and subject to change. Confirmed XIs are released 60 minutes before kickoff. See all pre-World Cup 2026 friendly match previews.

Key Players to Watch

Luka Modrić — Croatia

Luka Modrić at 40 years old remains one of the most remarkable players in the history of the game. The AC Milan midfielder won the Ballon d’Or in 2018, captained Croatia to three World Cup top-three finishes across four tournaments, and stands at 196 international caps heading into what is almost certainly his final World Cup. His recovery from a cheekbone fracture suffered last month has been the central medical story of Croatia’s preparation, and his performance tonight will be monitored by Dalić as the ultimate fitness test before June 17. When Modrić plays well, Croatia are a different team — his tempo, his reading of the game, and his set-piece delivery remain peerless even at his age. See our full Croatia World Cup 2026.

Kevin De Bruyne — Belgium

Kevin De Bruyne arrives at what may be his final World Cup carrying the weight of a generation’s unfulfilled ambition. Now at Napoli after his departure from Manchester City, the midfielder remains Belgium’s most important creative force — his range of passing, movement into the box, and ability to find moments of genius from seemingly routine positions are unmatched in this squad. The 2022 World Cup group stage exit against Croatia was the most painful result of his international career, and tonight he faces the side that eliminated him in front of the same partisan Croatian crowd that will back the Vatreni. A performance of the highest level from De Bruyne tonight would tell Rudi Garcia everything he needs to know about Belgium’s World Cup readiness. See our full Belgium World Cup 2026.

Croatia vs Belgium — Tactical Preview

Dalić’s 4-3-3 relies on Gvardiol’s defensive authority allowing the fullbacks and wing midfielders to push high, with Kovačić and Modrić controlling tempo from the centre and Kramarić making the runs in behind. Belgium’s most dangerous offensive pattern comes from Doku’s pace on the right flank — the Manchester City winger will target Croatia’s left-back repeatedly, and his ability to cut inside or drive to the byline makes him almost impossible to contain with a single defender.

Croatia’s tactical response will be to set a medium block and hit Belgium on the counter through Vlašić and Perišić a system that produced the discipline to hold Belgium scoreless for 90 minutes in Doha. Garcia’s 4-2-3-1 will look to establish De Bruyne’s control in the pockets between Croatia’s midfield and back line, using Onana’s physicality to win second balls and release the creative players into space. The key tactical battle is Kovačić against De Bruyne in central midfield if Croatia’s Manchester City midfielder can disrupt Belgium’s rhythm early, Dalić’s side will have the platform to frustrate the Red Devils for a second consecutive major fixture.

Croatia vs Belgium Prediction

The perfectly balanced head-to-head record, the proximity of both teams’ World Cup openers, and the tactical discipline both sides bring to this fixture all point to a tight, controlled match with limited open space. Croatia are at home with a crowd that will recall the 2022 World Cup heroics against this opponent, while Belgium carry the motivation of revenge and the squad depth to impose their quality over 90 minutes. Modrić’s fitness will be the defining variable — if he starts and plays well, Croatia’s midfield is capable of matching Belgium anywhere. If he is managed carefully or absent, the quality gap in central midfield tips towards the Red Devils.

Our Prediction: Croatia 1–1 Belgium

Andrej Kramarić is the standout goalscorer pick for Croatia — six qualifying goals and a sharp eye for space on the shoulder of the last defender make him the likeliest source of a home goal. For Belgium, Romelu Lukaku carries the strongest anytime scorer value — his movement, hold-up play, and finishing in tight spaces against defensive-minded backlines are precisely what Croatia’s shape will create. World Cup 2026 Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran & New Zealand →

How to Watch Croatia vs Belgium Live

Croatian fans can watch live on HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija), the national broadcaster. Belgian viewers can watch on RTBF (La Une) or VRT (Eén). International viewers can check UEFA.tv. For the full worldwide broadcaster list and kickoff times in your timezone, see our Croatia vs Belgium live stream guide.

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Article by Pandy Jee for FWC Times. All predicted lineups subject to change — confirmed XIs released 60 minutes before kickoff. Stats verified at time of writing; TBC items updated as confirmed. Check Also Canada vs Uzbekistan preview