World Cup Preview: Belgium

Belgium arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup looking to make the most of what may be the final major tournament for several members of their celebrated golden generation. The Red Devils have consistently ranked among the world’s strongest sides over the past decade but are still searching for a first major international trophy. With a new manager in charge and plenty of talent throughout the squad, Belgian supporters will hope this can finally be their year.

Fixtures (UK time)

Egypt, June 15, 8pm
Iran, June 21, 8pm
New Zealand, June 27, 4am

How They Qualified

Belgium secured their place at the World Cup by finishing top of UEFA Qualifying Group J. They comfortably navigated a group that also included Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein, and finished unbeaten with five wins and two draws. Their attacking quality proved decisive throughout the campaign, while an experienced core ensured qualification was achieved without any significant scares. The successful campaign also provided an opportunity for several younger players to establish themselves alongside Belgium’s established stars.

The Manager

Rudi Garcia took charge of Belgium in early 2025 after an extensive coaching career across Europe. The Frenchman is best known for leading Lille to a famous Ligue 1 and Coupe de France double in 2010-11, breaking Lyon, Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain’s dominance of French football. He has also managed Roma, Marseille, Lyon, Al-Nassr and Napoli, building a reputation for attacking football and strong man-management. The 62-year-old inherited a squad in transition but one that still contains a wealth of world-class talent, and his task is to guide Belgium beyond the near-misses that have characterised much of the nation’s recent history.

The Star

Kevin De Bruyne remains the heartbeat of Belgium despite entering the latter stages of a glittering career. Widely regarded as one of the finest midfielders of his generation, he has amassed 229 international appearances while contributing 37 goals for his country. At club level, De Bruyne enjoyed enormous success with Manchester City, winning multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups and the UEFA Champions League. The midfielder’s vision, passing range and leadership remain crucial to Belgium’s hopes of a deep run in North America.

The Familiar Face

Jeremy Doku will be instantly recognisable to Premier League viewers thanks to his exciting performances for Manchester City. The winger joined the English champions from Rennes in 2023 and quickly established himself as one of the league’s most electrifying dribblers. Blessed with exceptional pace and close control, Doku is capable of changing games in an instant. He is far from the only familiar face in the Belgian squad either, with a number of Premier League-based players expected to feature prominently throughout the tournament. The Manchester City winger’s ability to stretch defences could prove particularly important against opponents determined to sit deep against Belgium’s superior technical quality.

Did you know?

Belgium’s best-ever World Cup finish came in 2018 when they defeated England 2-0 in the third-place play-off to secure the highest finish in the nation’s history.

The Prediction

Quarter-Finals

Belgium possess enough quality to emerge from Group G and win a knockout tie, particularly with experienced figures such as De Bruyne still pulling the strings. However, compared to the side that reached the semi-finals in 2018, this squad appears slightly less complete and could struggle against the tournament’s elite nations. A quarter-final exit against one of the competition favourites feels the most likely outcome, although the Red Devils certainly have the talent to exceed expectations if everything clicks at the right time.

Cover Photo: “Belgium Flag” by fdecomite is licensed under CC BY 2.0