Thibaut Courtois and Kevin De Bruyne back for more at FIFA World Cup 2026 with Belgium

Belgium manager Rudi Garcia has announced his 26-man squad for FIFA World Cup 2026. 

Rudi Garcia has a Belgium squad at his disposal that is most definitely transitioning from one era to the next but some of that old guard remains – and they remain strong, too.

Most notably, arguably the world’s best goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is back in the Belgium squad having missed out on UEFA EURO 2024 due to a falling out with former Red Devils boss Domenico Tedesco, while Kevin De Bruyne, who has now given up the captaincy to Youri Tielemans, remains the chief creator.

De Bruyne’s Napoli teammate Romelu Lukaku is another member of that ‘old guard’ to be a part of this squad, too, and his starting place is a little more certain now, too, with Garcia leaving Juventus striker Lois Openda out his 26-man squad and not really naming another out and out striker in the squad.

The likes of Leandro Trossard, Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Dodi Lukebakio and even Charles De Ketelaere can fill in there but Lukaku is trusted with being the only real so-called ‘number nine’. 

Jeremy Doku straddles those changing generations within the Belgium squad and the Manchester City winger heads into the summer on the back of a magnificent end to the campaign in the Premier League.

Aside from Openda, as well as Michy Batshuayi, the other notable absentee from the Belgian squad would be former Leicester City centre-back Wout Faes – with the Belgians appearing weakest at the back as Zeno Debast and Koni De Winter compete for a spot alongside Arthur Theate in the heart of their defence.