Belgium have been one of the best teams in the world for the past decade. They have been ranked number one by FIFA. They have produced some of the most talented players on the planet. And yet, they still do not have a major trophy to show for it.
The 2026 World Cup in North America represents the final chapter for Belgium’s golden generation. Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Thibaut Courtois are all in their thirties now. This is likely their last World Cup together. As they prepare for the tournament,
Red Devils on the World Stage: A History of Near Misses
Belgium is one of the most experienced World Cup nations in history. The 2026 tournament will be their 15th appearance, putting them in elite company. They even played in the very first World Cup back in 1930 in Uruguay, making them part of the tournament’s origin story.
For decades, Belgium were solid but never spectacular. They reached fourth place at the 1986 tournament in Mexico, but 2018 changed everything. In Russia, Belgium produced one of the most thrilling runs in recent memory, shocking Brazil 2-1 in the quarterfinals before finishing third—their best-ever result.
Then came Qatar 2022, and it all fell apart. Belgium crashed out in the group stage after losing to Morocco and drawing with Croatia. The dressing room was full of tension, and it felt like the end of an era.
Road to 2026: Shaky Start, Strong Finish
Belgium’s qualifying campaign for 2026 was not straightforward. Placed in UEFA Group J alongside Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, and Liechtenstein, they were clear favorites, but the road had bumps.
New manager Rudi Garcia had to navigate a Nations League promotion playoff against Ukraine in March 2025 before stabilizing the ship. After a rocky 1-1 draw with North Macedonia to open qualifying, the team found its rhythm. They sealed qualification in style on the final matchday with a 7-0 demolition of Liechtenstein, with Jeremy Doku scoring twice.
Belgium finished top of Group J with 18 points from eight matches, going unbeaten with five wins and three draws.
That Night in Brussels: Belgium 4-3 Wales
June 9, 2025. King Baudouin Stadium. This was the game that defined the campaign.
Belgium stormed to a 3-0 lead within 27 minutes, only to watch Wales claw back to 3-3 by the 70th minute. The stadium was stunned. But in the 88th minute, Kevin De Bruyne found space at the far post to score the winner. It was chaotic, messy, and brilliant—a perfect metaphor for this team’s resilience.
Stars Leading Belgium’s Charge
- The Heartbeat: Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli) The 34-year-old reunited with Lukaku in Italy in 2025. His vision makes him irreplaceable. This is his final curtain call.
The Man in Charge: Rudi Garcia
Rudi Garcia became the first Frenchman to manage Belgium on January 24, 2025. Replacing Domenico Tedesco, Garcia brought a possession-based 4-3-3 system and made the bold decision to recall Courtois. Managing the egos of this star-studded squad is his biggest challenge, but his unbeaten qualifying run has bought him trust.
Group G: A Favorable Draw
Belgium landed in Group G alongside Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand. On paper, this is manageable, avoiding the “Group of Death” scenarios seen in Group F (Netherlands/Japan).
| Match | Date | Opponent | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 15, 2026 | Egypt | Lumen Field, Seattle | 3:00 PM |
| 2 | June 21, 2026 | Iran | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles | 3:00 PM |
| 3 | June 26, 2026 | New Zealand | BC Place, Vancouver | 11:00 PM |
Likely Starting XI
Rudi Garcia has settled on a dynamic 4-3-3 that maximizes De Bruyne’s freedom while protecting the backline with Onana’s physicality.
- GK: Thibaut Courtois
- DEF: Timothy Castagne, Wout Faes, Zeno Debast, Arthur Theate
- MID: Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans (C), Kevin De Bruyne
- FWD: Jeremy Doku, Romelu Lukaku, Leandro Trossard
Tactical Key: Watch for Leandro Trossard drifting inside from the left, which creates space for Theate to hold the defensive shape. This allows Jeremy Doku on the right to stay wide and isolate defenders 1v1.
Prediction: Quarter-Finals or Bust
Belgium should top Group G. The real test comes in the knockouts. If the bracket aligns, they could face a European rival like the Netherlands or a dangerous dark horse like Japan in the later rounds.
If Lukaku is fit, a Semi-Final run is possible. But this team has a history of brilliance followed by collapse. One thing is certain: it will be an emotional ride. Whether it ends in triumph or heartbreak, this is the last dance for the greatest generation Belgian football has ever seen.
