Belgium enters the 2026 World Cup carrying the weight of a fading golden generation. The era defined by Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany, and Jan Vertonghen has mostly passed, but remnants of that class—most notably Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku—still offer world-class quality. Now led by the experienced Frenchman Rudi Garcia, the Red Devils approach what could be a last dance for their veteran core, hoping to finally convert decades of talent into a major trophy. The team’s group appears manageable on paper, but significant challenges loom, starting with the fitness of their record goalscorer.
The narrative surrounding Romelu Lukaku is tinged with concern. Belgium’s all-time leading scorer, with 90 international goals, has endured a torrid preparation. A succession of injuries limited him to a meager 64 minutes of club football at Napoli this season, and he had not played for the national team until a cameo off the bench in a friendly against Croatia. That substitute appearance did yield a late goal, but the broader reality is grim: Lukaku enters the World Cup with no meaningful match rhythm. The emotional toll of his father’s recent death adds another layer of complexity. A player who has often been the focal point of Belgium’s attack may have to be managed cautiously.
Head coach Rudi Garcia has been candid about his tactical approach, which is shaped by the team’s defensive vulnerabilities following the retirement of icons like Toby Alderweireld, Kompany, and Vertonghen. The backline is now the weakest link, aside from the imperious goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Garcia favors a system with four defenders, explaining, “With five defenders I have to sacrifice an attacking player and that would be a shame.” His rationale is to employ a medium block, shielding the defense without stifling the creative talents ahead. It is a calculated risk that puts the onus on De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku, and others to deliver.
Garcia’s style is resolutely old school. At his unveiling in January 2025, he declared, “It is not about trying, it is about doing, that’s my motto.” He has emphasized “mindset” and “pride in the jersey” as non-negotiables, restoring a positive atmosphere after the Domenico Tedesco era. With a managerial CV that includes spells at Lille, Roma, Marseille, Lyon, Al Nassr, and Napoli, Garcia brings vast experience but faces the unique challenge of his first World Cup. His rejection of data-driven analysis in favor of instinct and man-management is a gamble that could either galvanize or expose Belgium.
Attacking stars offer genuine hope. Kevin De Bruyne remains one of the planet’s finest playmakers, capable of splitting any defense. Jérémy Doku has added end product to his searing pace; the Manchester City winger acknowledged his need to improve “statistics” and has done so with telling crosses and key goals late in the Premier League season. Meanwhile, the emergence of Matias Fernandez-Pardo, a 21-year-old Lille forward who switched his international allegiance from Spain after a call-up, provides a wildcard. With doubts over Lukaku and the decline of Loïs Openda at Juventus, Fernandez-Pardo’s speed and finishing instincts could be vital.
Defensively, Thibaut Courtois is the cornerstone. The Real Madrid keeper’s shot-stopping prowess can mask many flaws. Brighton’s Maxim De Cuyper has surprisingly become a regular at left-back under Garcia, contributing offensively and even scoring important goals for Belgium. His club situation—often a substitute in the Premier League—contrasts with his national team importance, but the coach clearly trusts him to balance defensive duties with attacking surges. The probable starting XI features these elements, but depth remains a worry.
Belgium’s World Cup qualifying campaign, while successful, was not without missteps. They went undefeated in a group containing Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, and Liechtenstein, but draws against North Macedonia (twice) and Kazakhstan raised eyebrows. The 29 goals scored in eight matches underlined the attack’s potency, yet the failure to always outscore opponents hinted at fragility. In the tournament proper, such lapses could be punished more severely.
The group stage schedule is set: Belgium face Egypt on June 15 in Seattle (noon local), then Iran on June 21 in Los Angeles (noon local), and New Zealand on June 26 in Vancouver (8pm local). These matches span the West Coast and varying time zones, requiring adaptability. Egypt, with their defensive organization, could frustrate Belgium’s attack; Iran’s tactical discipline under pressure will be a test; and New Zealand, while the underdog, might exploit any complacency. Yet, on paper, it is a group Belgium should advance from.
Belgian fans, known for their pre-match beer-fueled revelry, present a paradox: passionate but geographically and linguistically split. The coexistence of Dutch, French, and German speakers makes coordinated chanting difficult, so songs often default to English. There is also a political undercurrent, with scepticism toward U.S. President Donald Trump—who once called Brussels’ Molenbeek a “hellhole”—adding a layer of discomfort. Ticket prices have drawn complaints, but no boycott has materialized. The Belgian FA remains publicly silent on these matters.
For the Red Devils, this World Cup is a precipice. The golden generation’s last true opportunity to claim silverware coincides with a coach striving to prove himself on the global stage and a striker wrestling with fitness and sorrow. The winnable group offers a gentle path, but the knockout rounds would demand more than individual brilliance. Whether Garcia’s emphasis on attacking freedom and unity can forge a collective capable of overcoming past near-misses will define Belgium’s narrative in North America. The journey starts against Egypt, with hope—and trepidation—in equal measure.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.
