Belgium World Cup 2026 preview
June 3, 2026 · 23:01 5 min read 11 views
Not much of Belgium's fabled golden generation remains, but the Red Devils have been handed a winnable group and possess genuine quality in De Bruyne and Doku. This article is part of a World Cup Experts' Network, a cooperation between top media organisations from the 48 qualified countries, with previews from three countries daily in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June.
The head coach, Rudi Garcia, is well aware that the Red Devils' strength lies in attack, where Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku and Romelu Lukaku can each make a difference. The defence, except for goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, is the weak point after the retirement of the golden generation of Toby Alderweireld, Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen and Jan Vertonghen. Garcia says he will always choose four defenders and not five, as this would mean sacrificing an attacking player.
Garcia usually opts for a medium block to support the attack and not put too much pressure on the defenders, although his approach may be seen as questionable given Lukaku's lack of match rhythm due to injuries and personal issues. He played only 64 minutes for Napoli this season and none for the national team until coming off the bench in a 2-0 win against Croatia, scoring the second goal in added time. Belgium's all-time top scorer, with 90 goals, will start the World Cup without any match rhythm.
Belgium's group stage fixtures are: 15 June v Egypt, Seattle; 21 June v Iran, Los Angeles; 26 June v New Zealand, Vancouver. Qualifying went smoothly against Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein, with Belgium underlining their strengths in attack, scoring 29 goals in eight games.
Garcia has been in charge since January 2025 and said at his unveiling that he is ready to take on the challenge, emphasizing the importance of hard work and a strong mindset. The Frenchman is old school, preferring a more traditional approach to the game, and has restored a positive atmosphere to the national squad, saying that what matters most is having a united team on the field.
Jérémy Doku is the most popular player in the squad, a 24-year-old Manchester City attacker who is still developing his game, having recently improved his crossing ability and scored important goals in the Premier League season. Garcia's experience, having been in charge at several top clubs, will be crucial in guiding Belgium through the tournament.
The head coach, Rudi Garcia, is well aware that the Red Devils' strength lies in attack, where Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku and Romelu Lukaku can each make a difference. The defence, except for goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, is the weak point after the retirement of the golden generation of Toby Alderweireld, Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen and Jan Vertonghen. Garcia says he will always choose four defenders and not five, as this would mean sacrificing an attacking player.
Garcia usually opts for a medium block to support the attack and not put too much pressure on the defenders, although his approach may be seen as questionable given Lukaku's lack of match rhythm due to injuries and personal issues. He played only 64 minutes for Napoli this season and none for the national team until coming off the bench in a 2-0 win against Croatia, scoring the second goal in added time. Belgium's all-time top scorer, with 90 goals, will start the World Cup without any match rhythm.
Belgium's group stage fixtures are: 15 June v Egypt, Seattle; 21 June v Iran, Los Angeles; 26 June v New Zealand, Vancouver. Qualifying went smoothly against Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein, with Belgium underlining their strengths in attack, scoring 29 goals in eight games.
Garcia has been in charge since January 2025 and said at his unveiling that he is ready to take on the challenge, emphasizing the importance of hard work and a strong mindset. The Frenchman is old school, preferring a more traditional approach to the game, and has restored a positive atmosphere to the national squad, saying that what matters most is having a united team on the field.
Jérémy Doku is the most popular player in the squad, a 24-year-old Manchester City attacker who is still developing his game, having recently improved his crossing ability and scored important goals in the Premier League season. Garcia's experience, having been in charge at several top clubs, will be crucial in guiding Belgium through the tournament.