Levi Rothermund
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The predicted lineups for France vs Belgium are shaped as much by who is missing as by who is in form, with this UEFA Nations League meeting on Monday 5 October 2026 forcing Zinédine Zidane into a selection question up front while Mark van Bommel appears to have no such headache. France must decide how to fill the gap left in attack, whereas Belgium’s projected XI looks close to a first-choice group with nothing in the data to disrupt it.
France Predicted XI
Zidane’s side is projected in a 4-3-3, the shape he prefers as coach, built from France’s last three lineups. It qualifies as a settled side – 11 of the projected XI started their last match – which points to a group Zidane has largely kept together across the sample. Mike Maignan stands out as the one certainty, having started all three matches used here, while the rest of the outfield picture, including Dayot Upamecano at the back, is built on players who have started twice in three. The absence of a recognised central striker among the standout names reflects the gap Kylian Mbappé’s unavailability has left further forward.
France predicted XI: Mike Maignan; Pierre Kalulu, Jérémy Jacquet, Adrien Truffert, Dayot Upamecano; Lucas Da Cunha, Rayan Cherki, Adrien Rabiot; Désiré Doue, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 3 | Last 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 16 | Mike Maignan | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| D | 2 | Pierre Kalulu | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| D | 22 | Jérémy Jacquet | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| D | 3 | Adrien Truffert | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| D | 4 | Dayot Upamecano | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| M | 21 | Lucas Da Cunha | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| M | 9 | Rayan Cherki | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| M | 14 | Adrien Rabiot | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| F | 20 | Désiré Doue | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| F | 7 | Ousmane Dembélé | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| F | 11 | Michael Olise | 2/3 | 2/3 |
Belgium Predicted XI
Belgium’s expected XI lines up in a 4-2-3-1, which is Mark van Bommel’s own preferred structure, again based on the last three matches available. It, too, reads as a settled side – 10 of the projected XI started their last match – suggesting the coach has rarely strayed from his first-choice group. Kevin De Bruyne has started all three matches in the sample and remains the fulcrum of the side, whereas Hans Vanaken has started only one of the three, making him the least certain name in this projected line-up. Diego Moreira also missed the most recent match despite two starts overall, a detail worth watching before kickoff.
Belgium predicted XI: Senne Lammens; Brandon Mechele, Nathan Ngoy, Timothy Castagne, Maxim De Cuyper; Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans, Mika Godts, Diego Moreira, Hans Vanaken; Charles De Ketelaere
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 3 | Last 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Senne Lammens | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| D | 4 | Brandon Mechele | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| D | 15 | Nathan Ngoy | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| D | 21 | Timothy Castagne | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| D | 5 | Maxim De Cuyper | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| M | 7 | Kevin De Bruyne | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| M | 8 | Youri Tielemans | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| M | 10 | Mika Godts | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| M | 19 | Diego Moreira | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| M | 20 | Hans Vanaken | 1/3 | 1/3 |
| F | 17 | Charles De Ketelaere | 3/3 | 3/3 |
Injuries and Suspensions
Kylian Mbappé is out injured, which thins France’s options in the forward line specifically. Of the players in reserve, Bradley Barcola, who has started once across the matches used here, looks the most obvious like-for-like option to step into that attacking role if needed.
| Player | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Kylian Mbappé | injured | Tendonitis |
On the other side, no absentees are recorded in the data for Belgium, leaving van Bommel’s group largely free of selection complications. If he does look to rotate, Dodi Lukebakio, who has started once in the sample, is among the bench options with recent game time to draw on.
| Player | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Amadou Onana | injured | Cruciate Ligament Rupture |
How We Predict These XIs
Each side’s predicted lineup here is built from that team’s last three matches, with more recent matches weighted more heavily than older ones when working out who is most likely to start. Any player confirmed injured or suspended is removed from contention before the XI is built. This is a projection, not an announcement, and it can and will change once the official team news is confirmed.
Read Also: France vs Belgium Prediction: 05.10.2026 UEFA Nations League 2026/27
FAQ
What formation are France and Belgium expected to play?
France are projected in a 4-3-3 under Zinédine Zidane, while Belgium are expected in a 4-2-3-1 under Mark van Bommel, both reflecting each coach’s preferred shape.
Who is predicted to start in goal for France and Belgium?
Mike Maignan is projected to start in goal for France, having started all three matches used in this projection, with Senne Lammens doing the same for Belgium.
Who is unavailable for France vs Belgium?
Kylian Mbappé is out injured for France, while no absentees are recorded in the data for Belgium.
When does France vs Belgium kick off?
The UEFA Nations League match between France and Belgium kicks off on Monday 5 October 2026.