{"id":1449578,"date":"2026-06-09T22:33:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T21:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=news&p=1449578"},"modified":"2026-06-10T15:14:35","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T14:14:35","slug":"belgium-world-cup-2026-fixtures-squad-analysis","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup\/belgium-world-cup-2026-fixtures-squad-analysis\/","title":{"rendered":"Belgium World Cup 2026: Fixtures, manager, squad depth and tactical analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Belgium are back at the World Cup<\/a> and desperate to give a much-improved account of themselves on the biggest stage. The Red Devils crashed out in the group stage in Qatar four years ago, as their Golden Generation flopped in devastating fashion.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now under the stewardship on the experienced Rudi Garcia, the Belgians will hope to respond to that setback in a positive manner in North America. Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois are set for their World Cup swansongs, though youth is injected into the squad by the likes of Jeremy Doku.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Red Devils are appearing at their fourth successive World Cup, and would love a repeat of their run to the semi-finals in Russia eight years ago. That is their joint-best performance at the finals, having also reached the last four in 1986.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belgium route to the World Cup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Belgium booked their place at the 2026 World Cup automatically after finishing top of Uefa Group J. The won that group at the expense of Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, and Liechtenstein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Red Devils came through the campaign unbeaten, scoring 29 goals and conceding seven. Kevin De Bruyne contributed six of those goals, while Alexis Saelemaekers registered four assists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The qualification journey wasn\u2019t without its hiccups. They were held twice by North Macedonia and endured two dramatic, high-scoring encounters with Wales, eventually winning those games by 4-2 and 4-3 scorelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belgium World Cup 2026 fixtures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Belgium kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign against Egypt<\/a> at Lumen Field in Seattle. That could prove to be the toughest of their three tests in Group G<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Red Devils then draw swords with Iran<\/a> at the SoFi Stadium in the first-ever meeting between the countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belgium\u2019s third and final game comes up in Canada in Vancouver\u2019s BC Place, where they play group underdogs New Zealand<\/a>, whom they will also be playing for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n