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The Belgium World Cup 2026 squad represents the European nation with the most World Cup appearances but no trophy.
Rudi Garcia has a strong selection for World Cup 2026 and they qualified unbeaten with one of the most exciting squads at the tournament, still packed with talent from Europe's top five leagues.
Belgium's Golden Generation is in its last knockings but the Red Devils are among the favourites at another World Cup. Is this the year they finally get the job done?
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A few from Belgium's third-place heroics of 2018 remain, in the shape of Axel Witsel, Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, as the four most-capped players in this squad form a spine of vast experience – with captain Youri Tielemans and club-mate Amadou Onana a world-class double-pivot to build on, too.
Leandro Trossard and Jeremy Doku put aside title race rivalries in attack, with Matias Fernandez-Pardo an uncapped – but hugely talented – 21-year-old an option to back them up.
As expected, there are big omissions: Lois Openda and Michy Batshuayi won't be going this time around, while youngsters Nathan De Cat, Jorthy Mokio, Mika Godts and, perhaps most surprisingly, Malick Fofana, are all left at home.
Can the Red Devils make good on their promise after all these years?
Mood
“No chance, we’re too old.” Kevin De Bruyne’s withering assessment of Belgium’s pre-2022 World Cup potential was brutal and, four years on, still pretty accurate. That group-stage exit, featuring squad factions galore, was only marginally improved with a Euro 2024 last-16 defeat by France – the first decent team they faced – having already lost to Romania.
Rudi Garcia’s arrival in January 2025, following the inexperienced Domenico Tedesco’s two wins in the Red Devils’ 10 previous outings, couldn’t have come soon enough. The Frenchman immediately ended Thibaut Courtois’ 18-month exile and by the time it was qualifying season, a form order was restored.
But only in results. Yes, Belgium topped a weak group unbeaten to reach a seventh major tournament in a row, but they drew with minnows North Macedonia and Kazakhstan, and needed Kevin De Bruyne’s late goal for a 4-3 home win against Wales, the last team to inflict a qualifying defeat on them, 48 games ago in June 2015.
It was telling of a campaign in which the Belgians neither found a proper rhythm, settled on a starting XI nor developed a noticeable style.
“We weren't good enough in a large number of matches,” said Jeremy Doku, who led the way with five goals and two assists. “Our campaign hasn't gone well, no. Everyone needs to do better. The coach, me, everyone.”
Belgium will again rely on their veterans Courtois, De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku to tip the balance, but the last time they truly clicked was against Brazil in 2018’s quarter-final, when Vincent Kompany and Eden Hazard were still around.
Elsewhere, forward-thinking talent remains – Doku is an electric livewire, Garcia’s new captain Youri Tielemans dictates tempo and Leandro Trossard remains uber consistent – but the squad is top-heavy with a defence that will struggle against elite forward lines. Nevertheless, if they establish some momentum in a Group G they should comfortably top, a deep run and a kind draw opens the pathway to a potential semi-final.
Courtois, De Bruyne and Lukaku probably know this is the last chance to deliver the silverware the golden generation has always lacked.
Lessons from qualifying
Going unbeaten (again) has only papered over the cracks – Belgium need to be at full throttle against every opponent. Yawning through the group and hoping it’ll come good in the knockouts doesn’t work, so the momentum of three battle-hardened wins shouldn’t be discounted.
Squad
Belgium World Cup 2026 squad: The final selection
- GK: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
- GK: Senne Lammens (Manchester United)
- GK: Mike Penders (Strasbourg)
- DF: Thomas Meunier (Lille)
- DF: Timothy Castagne (Fulham)
- DF: Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt)
- DF: Zeno Debast (Sporting CP)
- DF: Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton & Hove Albion)
- DF: Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge)
- DF: Koni De Winter (Milan)
- DF: Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge)
- DF: Nathan Ngoy (Lille)
- MF: Axel Witsel (Girona)
- MF: Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli)
- MF: Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa)
- MF: Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge)
- MF: Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta)
- MF: Amadou Onana (Aston Villa)
- MF: Nicolas Raskin (Rangers)
- MF: Diego Moreira (Strasbourg)
- FW: Romelu Lukaku (Napoli)
- FW: Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)
- FW: Jeremy Doku (Manchester City)
- FW: Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica)
- FW: Alexis Saelemaekers (Milan)
- FW: Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Lille)
Fixtures and results
Fixtures
- June 15, 2026: Belgium vs Egypt, Lumen Field, Seattle, United States
- June 21, 2026: Belgium vs Iran, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, United States
- June 26, 2026: New Zealand vs Belgium, BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
- September 25, 2026: Italy vs Belgium, Italy
- September 28, 2026: Belgium vs France, King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium
- October 2, 2026: Belgium vs Turkiye, King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium
- October 5, 2026: France vs Belgium, Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
- November 12, 2026: Turkiye vs Belgium, Venue TBD, Turkiye
- November 15, 2026: Belgium vs Italy, King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium
Results
- June 6, 2026: Belgium 5-0 Tunisia, King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium
- June 2, 2026: Croatia 0-2 Belgium, Stadion HNK Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
- March 28, 2026: United States 2-5 Belgium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, United States
- March 31, 2026: Mexico 1-1 Belgium, Soldier Field, Chicago, United States
- November 18, 2025: Belgium 7-0 Liechtenstein, Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liège, Belgium
- November 15, 2025: Kazakhstan 1-1 Belgium, Astana Arena, Astana, Kazakhstan
- October 13, 2025: Wales 2-4 Belgium, Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
- October 10, 2025: Belgium 0-0 North Macedonia, Planet Group Arena, Ghent, Belgium
- September 7, 2025: Belgium 6-0 Kazakhstan, Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht, Belgium
- September 4, 2025: Liechtenstein 0-6 Belgium, Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein
- June 9, 2025: Belgium 4-3 Wales, King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium
- June 6, 2025: North Macedonia 1-1 Belgium, Toše Proeski Arena, Skopje, North Macedonia
Group G standings
Belgium are in Group G at World Cup 2026.
Manager
Who is Belgium's manager?
Rudi Garcia was appointed as Belgium manager in January 2025, and helped them avoid relegation to Nations League League B in his first two games as manager.
He's held six club management roles including, Lille, Roma, Marseille, Lyon Al-Nassr and Napoli, with the Belgium role marking his first in international management.
He had two big returnees this March in Lukaku and De Bruyne, so may have a better idea of his World Cup squad than he did before the latest international break.
Star player
Who is Belgium's star player?
Romelu Lukaku is probably one of the most underrated strikers of his generation. Spells at Manchester United and Chelsea didn't go to plan, but the 32-year-old is Belgium's all-time top scorer by over 60 goals.
He has enjoyed his time in Italy in recent years, winning two Scudetti, both times under Antonio Conte.
He was part of the fabled golden generation, and is now bridging into their new era, and will be hoping the rise in talent in recent squads will help him perform at his best in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Best XI
