Belgium vs France: UEFA Nations League, how and where to watch - times, TV, online

Belgium's 'golden generation' aim to finally end their wait for a trophy but have the small matter of world champions France to deal with if they are to progress to face Spain in Sunday's final.

The second edition of the UEFA competition was originally scheduled for June but was pushed back after the Euros were delayed by a year due to the covid-19 pandemic.

While there has been little anticipation of the tournament outside of the four competing nations, the match-ups are certainly the most appetising of the international fixtures scheduled for this week.

France had a disappointing Euros, going out in the round of 16 against Switzerland, but although coach Didier Deschamps is without midfielder N'Golo Kante, who has tested positive for COVID-19, he will be looking for his World Cup winners to shine.

Kevin De Bruyne is back in the Belgium squad after missing last month's World Cup qualifiers, with the Manchester City midfielder set to play behind Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku for Roberto Martinez's side.

Belgium and France last met in the 2018 World Cup finals with Les Bleus winning 1-0 before going on to beat Croatia in the Moscow final.

While the status of a Nations League title does not match that of a European or world championship, the Belgians, who have never won either, will certainly be keen to finally deliver on the promise of their 'golden generation'.

Deschamps looks to Griezmann for 'Les Bleus'

Didier Deschamps is not worried about Antoine Griezmann's lack of form ahead of France's Nations League Finals semi-final on Thursday.

The 30-year-old returned to Atletico Madrid from Barcelona in a high-profile transfer at the end of August following two largely underwhelming campaigns at Camp Nou.

Griezmann was expected to revive his career in the Spanish capital, but he has managed just one goal and no assists in seven appearances in his second spell with Atletico.

That solitary strike came in last week's 2-1 win over Milan in the Champions League, though he was again left out of Atletico's starting lineup for Saturday's showdown with Barcelona.

He has been named in Deschamps' 23-man squad for this week's Nations League Finals, which will see France face Belgium in the semi-finals on Thursday.

And Deschamps has no concerns about using Griezmann, who has 41 goals in 98 caps for France, in those matches.

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"His goal in the Champions League was very positive," Deschamps said at a news conference on Monday. "Even though he didn't start, that goal will give him confidence.

Martinez in confident mood

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez says his team to meet France in Thursday’s Nations League semi-final is stronger than the one that lost to their neighbours in the last four of the World Cup in Russia three years ago.

Thursday’s clash in Turin is the first between the sides since France’s 1-0 victory in St Petersburg, after which they went onto be crowned world champions.

For Belgium it was a lost opportunity, but Martinez feels the 2021 version of his side is better.

"I would like to believe that we are stronger, just because we have more players," he told a news conference on Wednesday.

"When we need cover for suspensions or injured players out of the squad, I think the number of players available for Belgium now has grown."

Three years on from the loss in Russia, Martinez believes there is a deeper understanding among his players.

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"It gives us a lot of synchronisation, something that you don’t get in international football. I think we always try to have a certain continuity with the selection players and try to work as you would in a club environment.

What time does Belgium-France kick-off?

The 2021 UEFA Nations League semi-final game between Belgium and France will be staged at the Allianz Stadium (Turin, Italy). Kick off is 20:45 (local time).

US ET: 14:45

US PT: 11:45

CEST: 19:45

For everywhere else in the world, you can check here to see what time the Nations League semi-final gets underway.


Where can I watch Belgium-France?

If the UEFA Nations League semi-final is available in your country, you can check here to see what channels or platforms will be showing the game.


UK: Sky Sports

Is the Belgium-France game available online?

The Nations League game is available in most nations through the rights holders' online platform, if they have one. The best option is to check who is showing the game in your country and if they have an online service or iOS/Android app to watch it on.

Belgium-France live with AS English

You can also follow our live text commentary here on AS English. We will be building up to the match an hour or so from kick-off before giving you a minute-by-minute account from Turin as the action unfolds.