Belarus vs Greece: Preview, Predictions, Team News, Lineups

As the World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign comes to a close, Belarus and Greece prepare to face off in a match that holds little consequence for either side, but plenty of pride. The game will take place at the ZTE Arena in Hungary on Tuesday evening.

Match Preview: Belarus vs Greece

Belarus has had a challenging qualifying journey. Despite having minimal chances of making their World Cup debut, they showed resilience in recent matches. Notably, they managed to secure a 2-2 draw against Group C leaders Denmark. This result came after a tough loss to Scotland, where Belarus was narrowly defeated 2-1.

Despite these improvements, Belarus remains at the bottom of Group C, having struggled throughout the qualifiers. They have recorded four consecutive losses, conceding 15 goals and scoring only two. However, the draw against Denmark marked a significant moment for the team, avoiding an 11th consecutive qualifying defeat.

Conversely, Greece’s path has been equally rocky. They recently achieved a 3-2 victory against Scotland, ending a series of disappointing results in the qualifiers. Captain Tasos Bakasetas played a pivotal role, but he will miss Tuesday’s match due to a red card received in the previous game.

Current Form

• Belarus World Cup Qualifying Form: L L L L D
• Greece World Cup Qualifying Form: W L L L W

Belarus will be looking to build on their recent performance, while Greece aims to capitalize on their offensive strengths. The Greeks have showcased their attacking potential, even as they have struggled to maintain consistency in their results throughout the qualifiers.

Team News

Belarus coach Carlos Alos has opted for a young squad by dropping several experienced players, including Yury Kavalyow and Alyaksandr Martynovich. Key players like Valeriy Gromyko and Nikita Demchenko are expected to lead the attack, supported by midfielder Max Ebong.

Meanwhile, Greece’s set-up will undergo changes due to the absence of Bakasetas. Coach Ivan Jovanovic may take this opportunity to experiment with younger talent, such as 18-year-old Charalampos Kostoulas. Goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos is anticipated to start following a strong performance in his last match.

Possible Lineups

Belarus:

• Lapoukhov; Parkhomenko, Kalinin, Zabelin; Malashevich, Ebong, Yablonsky, Pyachenin; Demchenko, Gromyko; Lisakovich

Greece:

• Vlachodimos; Vagiannidis, Chatzidiakos, Koulierakis, Tsimikas; Mouzakitis, Siopis, Kourbelis; Karetsas, Kostoulas, Tzolis

Predictions

As Belarus and Greece conclude their qualifying campaigns, the result remains uncertain. However, Greece’s attacking prowess paired with Belarus’ defensive frailties points towards an expected win for the Galanolefki. A final score of 3-1 in favor of Greece is anticipated.

This match, while insignificant in terms of standings, will serve as a platform for both teams to assess their potentials and make way for new talent as they look ahead to future competitions.