WC26 Daily Hub · Team Card

Belgium

Group G all level — group not yet started Form not yet played, not yet played, not yet played
Manager: Rudi Garcia Captain: Youri Tielemans Projected XI shape: 4-2-3-1 World Cup history: 15 appearances (1930–2026) | Recent finish: Group Stage (2022) | Best finish: Third Place (2018) Most appearances: Jan Vertonghen (157) Record goalscorer: Romelu Lukaku (89)
The Slate

Group-stage fixtures

The System

Tactical profile

With their 'golden generation' largely moved on, this Belgium team feel like a side in regeneration mode. That said, there are still promising signs that this is a team who not far away from reaching a new peak. Jérémy Doku comes into this competition on the cusp of becoming a superstar after an incredible second half of the season with Manchester City. And with players like Senne Lammens, Charles De Ketelaere, Amadou Onana and Maxim De Cuyper either already starting or waiting for their chance, there's lots to be positive about for the future of the Red Devils.

But there are still areas of concern, particularly in the back line, despite De Cuyper's emergence. Rudi Garcia's Belgium often require the fullbacks to actively push forward in attack, which can leave the central defenders exposed. Not a problem when you have the likes of Vincent Kompany, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld being shielded by prime Axel Witsel, but this group are inexperienced and, in the case of Zeno Debast, injured. This could be the perfect opportunity for Nathan Ngoy to break into the team but it's probably one international cycle too soon for him to really hit his stride. There are still some of the old guard around to help in Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Romelu Lukaku, but all in all, this is likely to be a building tournament for Belgium.

Key player

Jérémy Doku has rounded out his game significantly since first arriving at Man City - still an outstanding 1v1 touchline duelist, he's more patient on the ball now and tunnels less on the defenders immediately marking him, to the great benefit of central players and box-arrivers. Doku's elusiveness will go a long way towards relieving De Bruyne's creative burden.

Rising star

Zeno Debast is a converted midfielder, and it shows in his skill on the ball - the 22-year old centre-half for Sporting CP is a composed ballcarrier under pressure and plays switch passes with incredible precision. His status is in doubt at the moment due to a leg injury and he may miss at least one game, but Belgium's wingers will appreciate his return.

Fun fact

Arthur Theate shared a room with Olympic gold medalist Remco Evenepoel when the cyclist was a part of Belgium's youth system.

The Names

Squad by position

Goalkeepers
Thibaut Courtois, Senne Lammens, Mike Penders
Central defenders
Zeno Debast, Arthur Theate, Nathan Ngoy, Koni De Winter, Brandon Mechele
Wide defenders
Timothy Castagne, Thomas Meunier, Maxim De Cuyper, Joaquin Seys
Defensive midfield
Amadou Onana, Nicolas Raskin, Axel Witsel
Central midfield
Youri Tielemans, Diego Moreira
Attacking midfield
Kevin De Bruyne, Hans Vanaken
Wide forwards
Jérémy Doku, Alexis Saelemaekers, Leandro Trossard, Dodi Lukébakio
Central forwards
Charles De Ketelaere, Romelu Lukaku, Matias Fernandez-Pardo