Kevin De Bruyne
The creative reference point. Now at Napoli, De Bruyne remains Belgium's most decisive playmaker at 34. Likely his final World Cup, and on his day still one of the best passers in the world.
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Team Guide · 2026 World Cup
Belgium at the 2026 World Cup
Belgium arrive at the 2026 World Cup somewhere between an era ending and a new one starting. Under Rudi Garcia, the squad named on 15 May 2026 is captained by Youri Tielemans and still built around golden-generation icons: Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings, Thibaut Courtois in goal, and Romelu Lukaku back from injury up front, with Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard providing the spark. Garcia made bold calls, leaving out Lois Openda, Michy Batshuayi and the in-form Malick Fofana. The Red Devils land in a favourable Group G with Egypt, Iran and New Zealand. This is the squad, the omissions, the group and whether this generation has one more run.
G
Group
26
The Squad
3rd
Best Finish (2018)
15 Jun
Opener vs Egypt
Squad named. Rudi Garcia confirmed his 26 on 15 May 2026. Youri Tielemans captains the side, Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois anchor it, and Romelu Lukaku is included despite an injury-hit season. The biggest talking points were the omissions: Lois Openda, Michy Batshuayi, Malick Fofana, Romeo Lavia and several young talents missed out. Belgium open against Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle on 15 June, with all three group games in the Pacific time zone.
The Key Players
The spine of Garcia's Belgium
Belgium's 2026 side blends survivors of the golden generation with a younger supporting cast. These are the names the Red Devils will lean on.
Youri Tielemans
The captain and metronome. The Aston Villa midfielder leads the side and has become the engine of this Belgium team, dictating tempo and carrying the armband into a transitional era.
Thibaut Courtois
The world-class keeper. A two-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, Courtois is one of the best goalkeepers on the planet and the kind of safety net that can win Belgium knockout ties on his own.
Jeremy Doku
The game-breaker. The Manchester City winger is a direct, fearless dribbler who can beat a man and create from nothing. Belgium's most exciting attacking weapon in the new generation.
Romelu Lukaku
The record scorer. Belgium's all-time leading goalscorer with around 90 international goals. An injury-hit season at Napoli is the concern, but his World Cup pedigree means Garcia kept faith.
Leandro Trossard
The reliable difference-maker. The Arsenal forward is versatile across the front line, a clever finisher and a regular contributor of important goals for club and country.
The Squad
Garcia's squad by position
Rudi Garcia named his 26 on 15 May 2026. Below are the confirmed headline names by position. Youri Tielemans is captain, with Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Romelu Lukaku the senior leaders. Club listings are as of the announcement and can change over the summer.
Goalkeepers
In the squad
- Thibaut CourtoisReal Madrid
- Matz SelsNottm Forest
- Senne LammensMan United
Defenders
In the squad
- Timothy CastagneFulham
- Zeno DebastSporting CP
- Maxim De CuyperBrighton
- Koni De WinterAC Milan
- Brandon MecheleClub Brugge
- Thomas MeunierLille
- Arthur TheateEint. Frankfurt
- Joaquin SeysClub Brugge
Midfielders
In the squad
- Youri TielemansCaptain
- Kevin De BruyneNapoli
- Amadou OnanaAston Villa
- Axel WitselGirona
- Hans VanakenClub Brugge
- Nicolas RaskinRangers
Forwards
In the squad
- Romelu LukakuNapoli
- Jeremy DokuMan City
- Leandro TrossardArsenal
- Charles De KetelaereAtalanta
- Dodi LukebakioBenfica
- Alexis SaelemaekersAC Milan
- Matias Fernandez-PardoLille
These are the confirmed senior names in Garcia's 26, with the final places rounding out depth in defence and midfield. The spine of Courtois, De Bruyne, Tielemans and Lukaku is settled, and the questions are about fitness and whether the supporting cast can carry the load. For the full picture of all 104 games, see the WorldCuply.com match schedule, and read where Belgium sit among the favourites in our guide to the 12 Pot 1 nations.
The Calls
The eight notable omissions
Garcia's selection left out a number of recognised names, which dominated the reaction to the squad. These were the calls that drew the most attention.
Lois Openda
The most debated call. After a season of limited regular minutes at Juventus, Openda was left out as Garcia went a different way in attack, the single biggest surprise of the squad.
Batshuayi and Fofana
Veteran striker Michy Batshuayi missed out, as did the in-form young winger Malick Fofana, two attacking omissions that surprised plenty given the questions over Lukaku's fitness.
Lavia and the youngsters
Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia was omitted, along with young prospects Nathan De Cat, Jorthy Mokio and Mika Godts, as Garcia leaned on experience for a tournament he wants to win now.
Group G
The group and the fixtures
Belgium were drawn into Group G with Egypt, Iran and New Zealand. On paper it is one of the kinder draws for a seeded side. Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, are the most dangerous opponents, Iran are organised and experienced at this level, and New Zealand are the rank outsiders. Belgium play all three group games in the Pacific time zone, across Seattle, Los Angeles and Vancouver.
Belgium vs Egypt
Mon 15 Jun 2026
Belgium vs Iran
Sun 21 Jun 2026
New Zealand vs Belgium
Fri 26 Jun 2026
Belgium open against Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle on 15 June, then face Iran at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles on 21 June, before finishing against New Zealand at BC Place in Vancouver on 26 June. A West Coast group means late-evening kickoffs back in Belgium. For full kickoff times in your own time zone, use the match schedule.
The Ceiling
One more run for the golden generation?
Belgium's golden generation peaked with third place at the 2018 World Cup, then fell short of expectations in 2022. In 2026, this is a side in transition rather than a finished article:
- A settled spine. Courtois in goal, De Bruyne and Tielemans in midfield and Lukaku up top give Belgium a core of proven quality that can compete with most teams.
- A favourable group. Group G with Egypt, Iran and New Zealand is one Belgium will expect to win, setting up a kinder route into the new Round of 32.
- The fitness question. Much depends on De Bruyne staying sharp at 34 and Lukaku finding rhythm after an injury-disrupted season. If both fire, the ceiling rises.
- The transition risk. The depth behind the headline names is younger and less proven, and the omissions of Openda and Fofana mean Garcia is trusting a narrower attacking pool.
- The realistic target. A quarter-final is a fair baseline, and a semi-final is possible if the draw and fitness break their way. This generation, though, is closer to its end than its prime.
Belgium are not among the very top favourites, but they are dangerous and experienced where it counts. If the old guard stay fit and Doku catches fire, the Red Devils can trouble anyone, one last time.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions
Who is Belgium's coach for the 2026 World Cup?
Rudi Garcia is Belgium's head coach for the 2026 World Cup. The Frenchman was appointed in January 2025, replacing Domenico Tedesco, and named his 26-man squad on 15 May 2026.
Who is Belgium's captain for the 2026 World Cup?
Youri Tielemans captains Belgium at the 2026 World Cup. The Aston Villa midfielder leads a side that still leans on Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Romelu Lukaku from the golden generation.
What group are Belgium in at the 2026 World Cup?
Belgium are in Group G at the 2026 World Cup, alongside Egypt, Iran and New Zealand. On paper it is a favourable draw that the Red Devils will expect to win.
What are Belgium's group fixtures at the 2026 World Cup?
Belgium play Egypt on 15 June at Lumen Field in Seattle, then Iran on 21 June at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles, and finally New Zealand on 26 June at BC Place in Vancouver. All three games are in the Pacific time zone.
Is Romelu Lukaku in Belgium's 2026 World Cup squad?
Yes. Romelu Lukaku, Belgium's all-time leading scorer, was included despite an injury-hit 2025-26 season at Napoli that limited him to a handful of substitute appearances. His fitness will be watched closely.
Is Kevin De Bruyne in Belgium's 2026 World Cup squad?
Yes. Kevin De Bruyne, now at Napoli, is in the squad and remains Belgium's creative reference point at 34. For many it is likely his final World Cup.
Which big names did Belgium leave out of the 2026 World Cup squad?
Rudi Garcia left out several notable names, including forwards Lois Openda and Michy Batshuayi, the in-form Malick Fofana, Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia, and young talents Nathan De Cat, Jorthy Mokio and Mika Godts.
Why is Lois Openda not in Belgium's 2026 World Cup squad?
Openda was the most debated omission. After a season of limited regular minutes at Juventus, Garcia went in a different direction in attack and preferred other options, including the uncapped-at-senior-level Matias Fernandez-Pardo.
Where does Belgium play its 2026 World Cup group games?
Belgium play across the Pacific coast: against Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle, against Iran at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood near Los Angeles, and against New Zealand at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada.
How far can Belgium go at the 2026 World Cup?
Belgium have the quality to reach the quarter-finals and, with a kind group and the draw breaking their way, a semi-final is not out of reach. But this is a team in transition, and much depends on the fitness of De Bruyne and Lukaku and how quickly the next generation steps up.
Keep Reading
More 2026 World Cup coverage
Belgium are one of 48 nations heading to the 2026 World Cup. Explore the rest of the WorldCuply.com guide:
Netherlands Squad
Koeman's Oranje, captain Virgil van Dijk and Frenkie de Jong, Group F, and a real dark-horse run.
Read the Netherlands guide ›England Squad
Tuchel's official 26 for 2026 and the eight big-name omissions, plus Group L.
Read the England guide ›Superstars to Watch
The top 12 players going to the 2026 World Cup, including Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne.
View the top 12 ›Match Schedule
All 104 fixtures across 16 host cities, with kickoff times you can filter to your team.
Open the schedule ›Sources
Where this page comes from
This guide was hand-written from the following reporting and reference pages, used to confirm Belgium's coach, squad, omissions, group and fixtures:
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