Belgium team profile - FIFA World Cup 2026
In the build-up to FIFA World Cup 2026 in USA, Canada and Mexico, we shine a spotlight on Belgium.
FIFA World Ranking: 9
Confederation: UEFA
Who is Belgium’s head coach for FIFA World Cup 2026?
Belgium’s head coach for FIFA World Cup 2026 is Rudi Garcia. He has been in charge of the Red Devils since January 2025, replacing Domenico Tedesco in what is his first time leading an international side after previous spells in charge of European clubs such Lille, Roma, Marseille, Lyon and Napoli.
Who is Belgium’s captain for FIFA World Cup 2026?
Belgium’s captain for FIFA World Cup 2026 is Youri Tielemans. He has over 80 caps and scored two goals during his nation’s successful FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign.
How many times have Belgium participated in a FIFA World Cup before 2026?
14 – 1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2014, 2018, 2022
What is Belgium’s best performance at a FIFA World Cup?
Third place – 2018
How did Belgium qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026?
Belgium qualified for FIFA World Cup 2026 after finishing top of their group in the UEFA qualification stage. Teams were drawn into 12 groups with Belgium placed in Group J alongside Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein.
After eight group games, Belgium finished on 18 points with five wins, three draws and no defeats, two points above Wales in second-place. Each of the Red Devils’ five wins saw them score at least four goals and of all of the UEFA nations who qualified via this route, only Norway scored more than Belgium’s 29 goals. Kevin De Bruyne top-scored in qualifying with seven goals, whilst former Man City teammate Jeremy Doku found the net five times.
Confirmation of Belgium’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification came on November 18, 2025 after a 7-0 thrashing of Bosnia-Herzegovina in the final round of group matches. Defeat would’ve seen Wales qualify automatically instead as Group J winners and Belgium forced to compete in the second-round play-offs.
Who are Belgium’s star players?
Capped over 115 times for Belgium, Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli) has proven to be one of the best midfielders in the world over the course of his career, which has seen him win six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and the UEFA Champions League during a long and successful spell at Man City. He was named Premier League Player of the Season twice and also boasts a Belgium Pro League title and DFB Pokal at Gent and Wolfsburg respectively.
Romelu Lukaku (Napoli) is Belgium’s all-time top goalscorer and like KDB, is set to compete in his fourth FIFA World Cup. Having scored five goals for the Red Devils on their way to third-place in 2018, his physical presence and ability to find the net will be important. The pace and skill of Jeremy Doku (Man City) along with the goal threat posed by Leandro Trossard) should see each play prominent roles at FIFA World Cup 2026.
In Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Belgium can call upon a top-class goalkeeper. Like De Bruyne and Lukaku, Courtois has been capped over 100 times and is a former FIFA World Cup Golden Glove winner.
Who is in Belgium’s group at FIFA World Cup 2026?
Belgium are in Group G, which consists of the following teams:
Belgium
Egypt
IR Iran
New Zealand
Belgium’s Group G fixtures are as follows:
Belgium vs Egypt: Monday June 15, 2026 – 3:00pm ET, 8:00pm UK
Belgium vs IR Iran: Sunday June 21, 2026 – 3:00pm ET, 8:00pm UK
New Zealand vs Belgium: Friday June 26, 2026 – 11:00pm ET, 4:00am UK (Saturday)
All kick-off dates are based on a local kick-off time
Where is Belgium’s base camp at FIFA World Cup 2026?
Seattle Sounders FC Performance Centre – Renton, Washington
Expert prediction for Belgium’s chances at FIFA World Cup 2026
Belgium are looking to avoid a second consecutive underwhelming FIFA World Cup campaign and they’ve been helped by a relatively kind group stage draw. New Zealand is an opponent they would expect to win against and whilst both Egypt and IR Iran will prove tougher challenges, the Red Devils have reason to be confident of a top two finish in Group G.
A fully-fit De Bruyne and Lukaku will be crucial to their chances and whilst their ‘golden era’ looks to have ended, Belgium still contain some excellent offensive players in particular.
It remains to be seen what would be a better outcome for Belgium in terms of the bracket. Securing top spot in Group G guarantees a third-placed opponent elsewhere, whilst finishing in second-place would lead to an encounter with the runners-up in Group D, which could be any of USA, Australia or Paraguay, assuming that Turkiye win that group. However, it will be very difficult for Belgium to avoid any of the front-runners come the round of 16 and against the top nations, Rudi Garcia’s men should be found wanting.
What round will Belgium reach at FIFA World Cup 2026? Round of 16
