North Macedonia will face Belgium at the Toše Proeski Arena on Friday in another round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The home side have a enjoyed a positive start to their qualification campaign and now sit atop Group J with four points from two games as they target their debut World Cup appearance.
They coasted to a 3-0 victory away at Liechtenstein in their group opener featuring goals from three different players including Girona man Bojan Miovski. They then played out a 1-1 draw against Wales in their second match and had looked set to be headed toward maximum points following Miovski's go-ahead strike in the 90th minute before their opponents leveled things up at the death.
Belgium, meanwhile, have endured a difficult run of results over the past year and found themselves in the UEFA Nations League Promotion/Relegation Playoffs last time out. After a poor group stage performance, the Red Devils had to fight for their League A status in the playoffs, losing 3-1 to Ukraine in their first-leg clash before getting the job done on home turf days later with a 3-0 win.
The visitors will begin their World Cup qualifying campaign this weekend and will be keen to kick things off on a positive note.
North Macedonia vs Belgium Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Friday's game will mark the fifth meeting between North Macedonia and Belgium. The visitors are undefeated in all four of their previous matchups picking up three wins and a draw.
- The two teams last faced off in a World Cup qualifying clash back in March 2013 which the Red Devils won 1-0 via a second-half strike from Eden Hazard.
- North Macedonia have the best defensive record in Group J so far with just one goal conceded.
- Belgium were ranked eighth in the latest FIFA rankings and now sit 59 places above their weekend opponents.
North Macedonia vs Belgium Prediction
The Lynxes are undefeated in their last eight matches, picking up six consecutive victories in that period. They are unbeaten on home soil in almost two years and will be hopeful of a positive result here.
Belgium have had disappointing results in recent outings but remain the stronger side ahead of the weekend clash and should win this one.
Prediction: North Macedonia 0-2 Belgium
North Macedonia vs Belgium Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Belgium to win
Tip 2 - Goals - Over/under 2.5 - Under 2.5 goals (Four of the hosts' last five matches have produced fewer than 2.5 goals)
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: NO (Both sides have found the back of the net in just one of the visitors' last four matches)