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The Belgium World Cup 2026 squad has been announced, with Rudi Garcia taking a strong selection to North America.
The Red Devils confirmed their place at World Cup 2026 with an unbeaten run in qualification and boast one of the most exciting squads at the tournament, packed with talent from Europe’s top five leagues.
So despite the Golden Generation having been and gone, the Red Devils may well be jostling among the favourites, led by Garcia this time around.
A few from Belgium’s third-place heroics of 2018 remain, in the shape of Axel Witsel, Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, as the four most-capped players in this squad form a spine of vast experience – with captain Youri Tielemans and club-mate Amadou Onana a world-class double-pivot to build on, too.
Leandro Trossard and Jeremy Doku put aside title race rivalries in attack, with Matias Fernandez-Pardo an uncapped – but hugely talented – 21-year-old an option to back them up.
As expected, there are big omissions: Lois Openda and Michy Batshuayi won’t be going this time around, while youngsters Nathan De Cat, Jorthy Mokio, Mika Godts and, perhaps most surprisingly, Malick Fofana, are all left at home.
Can the Red Devils make good on their promise after all these years?
Squad
Belgium World Cup 2026 squad: The final selection
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GK: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
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GK: Senne Lammens (Manchester United)
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GK: Mike Penders (Strasbourg)
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DF: Thomas Meunier (Lille)
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DF: Timothy Castagne (Fulham)
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DF: Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt)
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DF: Zeno Debast (Sporting CP)
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DF: Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton & Hove Albion)
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DF: Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge)
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DF: Koni De Winter (Milan)
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DF: Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge)
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DF: Nathan Ngoy (Lille)
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MF: Axel Witsel (Girona)
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MF: Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli)
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MF: Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa)
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MF: Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge)
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MF: Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta)
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MF: Amadou Onana (Aston Villa)
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MF: Nicolas Raskin (Rangers)
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MF: Diego Moreira (Strasbourg)
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FW: Romelu Lukaku (Napoli)
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FW: Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)
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FW: Jeremy Doku (Manchester City)
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FW: Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica)
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FW: Alexis Saelemaekers (Milan)
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FW: Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Lille)
Fixtures and results
Fixtures
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June 2, 2026: Croatia vs Belgium, Stadion HNK Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
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June 6, 2026: Belgium vs Tunisia, King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium
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June 15, 2026: Belgium vs Egypt, Lumen Field, Seattle, United States
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June 21, 2026: Belgium vs Iran, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, United States
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June 26, 2026: New Zealand vs Belgium, BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
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September 25, 2026: Italy vs Belgium, Italy
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September 28, 2026: Belgium vs France, King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium
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October 2, 2026: Belgium vs Turkiye, King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium
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October 5, 2026: France vs Belgium, Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
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November 12, 2026: Turkiye vs Belgium, Venue TBD, Turkiye
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November 15, 2026: Belgium vs Italy, King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium
Results
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March 28, 2026: United States 2-5 Belgium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, United States
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March 31, 2026: Mexico 1-1 Belgium, Soldier Field, Chicago, United States
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November 18, 2025: Belgium 7-0 Liechtenstein, Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liège, Belgium
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November 15, 2025: Kazakhstan 1-1 Belgium, Astana Arena, Astana, Kazakhstan
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October 13, 2025: Wales 2-4 Belgium, Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
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October 10, 2025: Belgium 0-0 North Macedonia, Planet Group Arena, Ghent, Belgium
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September 7, 2025: Belgium 6-0 Kazakhstan, Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht, Belgium
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September 4, 2025: Liechtenstein 0-6 Belgium, Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein
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June 9, 2025: Belgium 4-3 Wales, King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium
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June 6, 2025: North Macedonia 1-1 Belgium, Toše Proeski Arena, Skopje, North Macedonia
Manager
Who is Belgium’s manager?
Rudi Garcia
Rudi Garcia was appointed as Belgium manager in January 2025, and helped them avoid relegation to Nations League League B in his first two games as manager.
He’s held six club management roles including, Lille, Roma, Marseille, Lyon Al-Nassr and Napoli, with the Belgium role marking his first in international management.
He had two big returnees this March in Lukaku and De Bruyne, so may have a better idea of his World Cup squad than he did before the latest international break.
Star player
Who is Belgium’s star player?
Romelu Lukaku of Belgium | Credit: Getty Images
Romelu Lukaku is probably one of the most underrated strikers of his generation. Spells at Manchester United and Chelsea didn’t go to plan, but the 32-year-old is Belgium’s all-time top scorer by over 60 goals.
He has enjoyed his time in Italy in recent years, winning two Scudetti, both times under Antonio Conte.
He was part of the fabled golden generation, and is now bridging into their new era, and will be hoping the rise in talent in recent squads will help him perform at his best in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
