Preview:Liechtenstein vs Belgium - prediction, team news, lineups

Belgium will continue their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign when they travel to Vaduz for Thursday's meeting with Liechtenstein.

The Red Devils have taken four points from their first two qualifiers, while the hosts are still searching for their first point following three consecutive defeats.

Match preview

Liechtenstein will know that qualifying for their first major tournament is an unrealistic objective, considering that they are placed 204th in the FIFA World Rankings.

However, they will still be targeting an improvement in results in their final five qualifiers after starting the campaign with three consecutive defeats without scoring.

Konrad Funfstuck's side suffered back-to-back home defeats to North Macedonia and Kazakhstan, before they slumped to a 3-0 loss in their away clash with Wales in June.

They then experienced more disappointment in a friendly outing against Scotland, conceding four goals without reply in their fifth straight defeat in all internationals.

As a result, Liechtenstein last avoided defeat when they played out a goalless draw with Gibraltar in October's Nations League clash.

Thursday's hosts will be aware that it will require a miracle to take anything from their first-ever international meeting with Belgium.

Meanwhile, Rudi Garcia is preparing to take charge of his fifth game as Belgium boss after taking over the reins prior to March's Nations League relegation playoff against Ukraine.

Garcia oversaw a 4-3 aggregate victory to keep Belgium in League A, before his team made an underwhelming start to their World Cup qualification bid with a frustrating 1-1 away draw against North Macedonia.

They looked set to drop two more points when they gave up a three-goal lead in their home clash with Wales, before Kevin De Bruyne saved the day with a dramatic 88th-minute winner.

Belgium are currently sitting in third position in Group J, with three points separating them from second-placed Wales and four points keeping them from leaders North Macedonia.

However, they will not be concerned at this stage because they have the advantage of two games in hand over the top two sides in the group, and they will certainly be expecting to take maximum points from Thursday's trip to Vaduz.

The Red Devils are usually an irresistible force in World Cup qualifying, having won 23 and drawn five of their past 28 qualifiers.

Liechtenstein World Cup Qualifying - Europe form:

L L L

Liechtenstein form (all competitions):

L L L L L L

Belgium World Cup Qualifying - Europe form:

D W

Belgium form (all competitions):

L L L W D W

Team News

The majority of the Liechtenstein squad play their club football in their homeland, including goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel, who is likely to be busy in Thursday's fixture.

Buchel could be shielded by a back five made up of Livio Meier, Lars Traber, Sandro Wieser, Jens Hofer and Max Goppel.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Funfstuck could select Willy Pizzi and Fabio Luque Notaro as his front two, while there is also the possibility of picking Ferhat Saglam and Dennis Salanovic.

As for the visitors, Belgium have been unable to call up the injured duo of Aston Villa midfielder Amadou Onana and Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku.

Thibaut Courtois will return between the posts after missing the June internationals, while the backline could feature Thomas Meunier, Zeno Debast, Arthur Theate and Maxim De Cuyper.

At the opposite end of the pitch, new Juventus signing Lois Openda should be given the chance to lead the line in Lukaku's absence.

Liechtenstein possible starting lineup:

Buchel; Meier, Traber, Wieser, Hofer, Goppel; Luchinger, Hasler, Sele; Pizzi, Luque Notaro

Belgium possible starting lineup:

Courtois; Meunier, Debast, Theate, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Vanaken; Saelemaekers, De Bruyne, Doku; Openda

We say: Liechtenstein 0-5 Belgium

Even without Lukaku, Belgium have enough firepower in their squad to make it a difficult evening for Liechtenstein, and considering the gulf in quality between the two sides, we think that the Red Devils will cruise to their second victory of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.