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Belgium captain Youri Tielemans injured in warm-up ahead of World Cup quarterfinal vs. Spain

Belgium Men’s National Soccer Team

Belgium captain Youri Tielemans injured in warm-up ahead of World Cup quarterfinal vs. Spain

Portrait of Seth Vertelney Seth Vertelney

USA TODAY Network
Updated July 10, 2026, 3:38 p.m. ET

Belgium suffered a major blow just before kickoff of its World Cup quarterfinal against Spain on Friday, July 11.

Youri Tielemans, Belgium’s captain and lynchpin in midfield, was injured during warm-ups and had to be replaced in the lineup by Hans Vanaken.

Video of warm-ups shows Tielemans playing the ball around and then walking gingerly over to Belgium medical staff.

Tielemans, 29, started all five of Belgium’s matches at the World Cup prior to Friday’s game in Inglewood, California. The Aston Villa midfielder scored two goals against Senegal in the round of 32, helping Belgium to a dramatic 3-2 comeback win.

Vanaken, 33, has also played in all five World Cup games for Belgium, starting four straight after his last-minute inclusion against Spain.

The Club Brugge midfielder notched a goal and an assist as Belgium beat the United States 4-1 in the round of 16.

The injury to Tielemans hits an already thin Belgium midfield, with Amadou Onana out after tearing his ACL during the match against the USA.

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