Belgium are one of European football’s most intriguing stories. For a decade between 2014 and 2022 they were ranked number one in the world, carried one of the most talented squads ever assembled and consistently fell short of the ultimate prize.
The golden generation is largely gone – but its survivors remain. Under Rudi Garcia – the French coach appointed in January 2025 in his first international role – Belgium arrive as clear Group G favourites with a squad that still contains three of the finest players of their generation.
How they got there
Belgium won UEFA Group J without losing a single match – five wins and three draws from eight games, scoring 29 goals and conceding just seven.
They sealed top spot with a 7-0 victory over Liechtenstein on 17 November 2025. Captain Youri Tielemans – who had just lifted the UEFA Europa League with Aston Villa – was the driving force.
The controversial omission of Malick Fofana – Belgium’s top qualifying scorer with six goals – dominated the headlines when Garcia named his squad.
Best ever World Cup finish
Belgium’s greatest achievement came at Russia 2018 – a third-place finish that remains the finest result in the nation’s football history.
They reached the semi-finals before losing 1-0 to eventual champions France. Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard then scored in a 2-0 third-place play-off victory over England to seal bronze.
Their previous best had been fourth place at Mexico 1986. In Qatar 2022 they crashed out in the group stage – a painful exit that has driven everything since.
Iconic moments
Belgium’s most celebrated World Cup moment came in the 94th minute of their 2018 Round of 16 match against Japan in Rostov. Trailing 2-0 in the second half, Vertonghen and Fellaini pulled Belgium level before Nacer Chadli finished a breathtaking counter-attack to seal a 3-2 comeback victory.
It remains one of the most dramatic finishes in World Cup history and the defining moment of Belgium’s golden generation.
Players to watch
Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli) – Belgium’s most important player at 34 – operating as the number 10 after his move from Manchester City. De Bruyne brings a passing range and match intelligence that few players can match. This is almost certainly his final World Cup.
Romelu Lukaku (Napoli) – Belgium’s all-time top scorer with 89 goals arrives carrying significant fitness concerns after a season ravaged by muscle injuries at Napoli. Garcia backed him regardless. If fit, Lukaku gives Belgium a focal point in attack that no team in Group G can handle.
Fixtures
15 Jun: Belgium vs Egypt – Lumen Field, Seattle – 21:00 SAST
21 Jun: Belgium vs Iran – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 21:00 SAST
27 Jun: New Zealand vs Belgium – BC Place, Vancouver – 05:00 SAST
Photo: Joris Verwijst/Soccrates/Getty Images
