Belgium plays Colombia on Thursday in an international friendly. The match begins at 3 p.m. ET (9 p.m. local). Live stream information below.
After playing well in the qualifiers, Colombia is set to appear in the World Cup for the first time since 1998. Colombia boss Jose Pekerman's side earned a spot in Brazil after forcing a 3-3 draw in October against Chile, Goal.com reports. Pekerman now has a year to tinker with his roster and find the best lineup, starting with the friendly against Belgium and another friendly on Tuesday against the Netherlands.
"Belgium and the Netherlands are major players that are in the best clubs in Europe," Colombia midfielder Fredy Guarin told the team website, via Goal.com. "Teams that are ranked in the first places ... these games are momentous because we can do a different job. You will not be doing anything easy but it is very important for the future."
Colombia can gauge where they are at with the friendly against Belgium, a club that rose from 40th in the world rankings to fifth by the end of their qualifying campaign. The Belgium side is undefeated for the year and finished atop Group A with eight wins and two draws.
Eden Hazard and Christian Benteke give Belgium a quick-striking attack, making Belgium look a contender next year in the nation's first World Cup appearance since 2002.
Belgium captain Vincent Kompany is unavailable for the friendly due to a thigh injury.
Projected Lineups (via SB Nation):
Belgium: Thibaut Courtois; Sebastien Pocognoli, Jan Vertonghen, Daniel Van Buyten, Toby Alderweireld; Nacer Chadli, Axel Witsel, Marouane Fellaini; Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne.
Colombia: Camilo Vargas; Pablo Armero, Cristian Zapata, Luis Amaranto Perea, Santiago Arias; James Rodriguez, Fredy Guarin, Carlos Sanchez, Juan Cuadrado; Jackson Martinez, Radamel Falcao.
Watch the live stream HERE*.
