Fabian Ruiz gets the nod as Spain name starting XI for World Cup quarterfinal against Belgium

The first semifinalist of the 2026 World Cup will be decided in Los Angeles tonight as Spain take on Belgium in the quarterfinals. Both managers have released their starting lineups, and the biggest surprise comes from La Roja. Luis de la Fuente, coming off a 1-0 win over Portugal, has shuffled his midfield. Instead of a traditional double pivot, he’s handed Fabián Ruiz a starting role alongside Rodri. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder will add creativity from deep. Belgium’s Rudi Garcia, fresh off a 4-1 thrashing of the USA, keeps faith in his stars. Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku both start in the attacking third, with Charles De Ketelaere leading the line. Here are the confirmed lineups: Spain: Simón — Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella — Rodri, Ruiz — Yamal, Olmo, Baena — Oyarzabal. Subs: Raya, J. García, Pubill, Grimaldo, E. García, Llorente, Merino, Gavi, Zubimendi, Pedri, Torres, Pino, Williams, V. Muñoz, Iglesias. Belgium: Courtois — Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper — Tielemans, Raskin — Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku — De Ketelaere. Subs: Lammens, Penders, Theate, Meunier, De Winter, Seys, Witsel, Moreira, Vanaken, Saelemaekers, Lukaku, Lukébakio, Fernandez-Pardo. Kickoff is set for 22:00 Kyiv time.