Astana, Kazakhstan – Belgium‘s anticipated qualification for the 2026 World Cup is on hold after a 1-1 draw against Kazakhstan at the Astana Arena on Thursday. A victory would have secured their place in the final phase of the tournament, but the result leaves their qualification hanging on a final matchday showdown.
The stalemate means Belgium, unable to utilize goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, now needs to defeat Liechtenstein next Tuesday in Liège to mathematically confirm their spot. Thay currently trail Macedonia by two points for second place in European Group J. Kazakhstan’s dastan Satpaev of Kairat Almaty opened the scoring, beating Matz Sels, before Club Brugge’s Hans Vanaken equalized early in the second half, capitalizing on a pass from Fulham’s Timothy Castagne.
Kazakhstan played the final 11 minutes a man down after Islam Chesnokov’s expulsion in the 79th minute, yet managed to withstand belgium’s pressure and secure a point that denied the visitors immediate qualification.
