Verdict: Total away goals over 1.5
Best odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Unibet
Belgium will begin their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign with a trip to Skopje for Friday’s clash against North Macedonia.
The hosts have already played twice in qualifying, recording a win over Liechtenstein and a draw against Wales in the opening matchdays.
North Macedonia
North Macedonia are aiming to qualify for their first-ever World Cup finals, having previously made their only major tournament appearance at Euro 2020.
They entered the 2026 qualifying campaign in strong form, having earned 16 points from six UEFA Nations League matches to win promotion from League C in late 2024.
Building on that momentum, North Macedonia began their World Cup qualifiers with a confident 3-0 home win over Liechtenstein in March.
However, they were denied back-to-back wins when Bojan Miovski’s 91st-minute strike against Wales was cancelled out by David Brooks in the 96th minute, resulting in a dramatic 1-1 draw that leaves them level on four points with Wales in Group J.
Despite that late setback, the draw extended their unbeaten streak to eight matches, with their last defeat coming in a friendly against the Czech Republic in June 2024.
In competitive fixtures, they haven’t lost since a 5-2 defeat to Italy in Euro 2024 qualifying back in November 2023, though their current run will be tested against a Belgium side ranked eighth in the world – 59 places above North Macedonia.
Team News
Valencia’s Stole Dimitrievski is expected to start in goal, protected by a back three of Gjoko Zajkov, Visar Musliu, and Jovan Manev.
Captain Enis Bardhi will lead the side and pose an attacking threat as North Macedonia’s third-highest all-time scorer.
Girona striker Bojan Miovski will spearhead the attack, having found the net five times in his last seven international appearances.
Belgium
Rudi Garcia took charge of Belgium earlier this year after Domenico Tedesco was dismissed following disappointing results at Euro 2024 and in the 2024/25 Nations League.
After failing to progress beyond the last 16 at the Euros, Belgium finished in the relegation playoff position in their Nations League group, having lost four of six matches in Group A2.
Garcia’s reign began with a 3-1 defeat to Ukraine in the playoff tie, but he then guided the Red Devils to a 3-0 win in the second leg, preserving their League A status in the Nations League.
The Frenchman now turns his attention to guiding Belgium to a fourth straight World Cup, with his side considered favourites to top a qualifying group that includes North Macedonia, Wales, Kazakhstan, and Liechtenstein.
Having struggled on the road lately, Belgium head to Skopje seeking their first away win since a 3-2 victory over Austria in Euro 2024 qualifying last October.
The visitors can draw confidence from their strong record against North Macedonia, winning three of four meetings (D1), including previous away wins: a 5-0 success in Euro qualifying in June 1995 and a 2-0 World Cup qualifier triumph in March 2013.
Team News
Belgium will be without Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who withdrew due to a back injury.
Club Brugge’s Nordin Jackers has been called up as cover, but Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels is expected to start in goal for Friday’s fixture.
Up front, Romelu Lukaku, fresh off winning Serie A with Napoli, will aim to add to his impressive tally of 88 international goals as he leads the Belgian attack.
Conclusion
North Macedonia may be riding an eight-match unbeaten streak, but facing Belgium remains a significant challenge for the hosts on Friday. The visitors’ superior quality is likely to prove decisive, and ultimately see them edging out a narrow win at the Tose Proeski Arena.
Verdict: Total away goals over 1.5
Best odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Unibet
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