Croatia and Belgium continue their World Cup 2026 preparations when they clash in a friendly at Stadion HNK Rijeka on Tuesday.
Vatreni begin their major tournament against England in Group L at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on 17th June, before clashes against Panama and Ghana.
Drawn in Group G, Belgium open their World Cup quest against Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle on 15th June and then face Iran and New Zealand in what looks to be a favourable section for the Red Devils.
Neither side will want to pick up any injuries so close to the World Cup and it would be no surprise if several stars appear to be holding themselves back in this meeting.
Croatia v Belgium Tips Summary
Best Bet - Draw and both teams to score @ 7/2
Alternative Bet - Igor Matanovic anytime goalscorer @ 13/5
Bet Builder - Either Luka Vuskovic or Amadou Onana to be booked, Andrej Kramaric 1+ shots on target & Jeremy Doku 1+ shots on target @ 6/1
Croatia v Belgium Prediction
Best Bet: Draw and both teams to score @ 7/2
No player will want to pick up a serious injury with the World Cup just days away and that could lead to a lack of intensity during this contest, while the expected raft of changes throughout the 90 minutes will also not help.
But both managers will want to give valuable playing time to the players picked in their final squads and there will be considerable quality on the pitch in Rijeka.
Croatia have failed to score in just one of their last 10 fixtures, while Belgium boast an even better record, having scored in 10 of their last 11 assignments.
Although impressive in attack, these two nations have struggled at the back, with Vatreni conceding in their last four outings and the Red Devils keeping just one clean sheet in their last five matches.
Both teams are expected to get on the scoresheet, although they may have to settle for a draw.
Belgium have shared the spoils in two of their last four fixtures, while the pair's last meeting in 2022 also ended in a draw.
Alternative Bet: Igor Matanovic anytime goalscorer @ 13/5
Igor Matanovic enjoyed a fantastic season with Bundesliga side Freiburg, netting 15 times in all competitions, and he should be given the opportunity to impress against Belgium.
Three of the 23-year-old's strikes have come in his last three appearances and he can maintain that form for Croatia, having netted on his last international outing against Colombia in March.
Croatia v Belgium Bet Builder Tip
Either Luka Vuskovic or Amadou Onana to be booked
Andrej Kramaric 1+ shots on target
Jeremy Doku 1+ shots on target
Pays 6/1
Croatia defender Luka Vuskovic picked up six bookings on loan at Hamburg this season, as well as one in the 3-1 loss to Brazil on 1st April.
The 19-year-old is a booking candidate for Tuesday's encounter, as is Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana, who received four yellows for Aston Villa in 2025/26 and enjoys getting stuck in.
Croatia forward Andrej Kramaric has managed at least one shot on target in three of his last five appearances for Hoffenheim and he can test the Belgian goalkeeper.
Belgium winger Jeremy Doku ended the season with Manchester City in solid attacking form, registering at least one effort on target in six of his last 10 appearances, and he can play an important role for his country.
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Key Match Stats
Croatia's four-game winning streak ended in a 3-1 defeat to Brazil in April
Vatreni have won their last five home fixtures
Belgium are on an 11-game unbeaten streak
The Red Devils drew 1-1 against Mexico in their last international friendly
Three of Belgium's last six assignments have ended in draws
Croatia and Belgium played out a 0-0 stalemate in their last encounter in 2022
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
