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Belgium announce final World Cup 2026 squad under Rudi Garcia for summer campaign
Deepa Krishnaswamy | May 28, 2026 8:45 AM CST

Belgium have officially revealed their squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with head coach Rudi Garcia opting for a strong and experienced lineup as the Red Devils head to North America.

Having qualified for the tournament with an unbeaten record, Belgium enter the World Cup boasting one of the most dynamic squads in the competition, filled with talent from across Europe’s top leagues.

Although the so-called 'Golden Generation' has largely moved on, Garcia’s men are still expected to be among the contenders, with an exciting mix of youth and experience shaping the side.

Key figures from the 2018 World Cup third-place finish – Axel Witsel, Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku – remain integral, forming a backbone of immense experience. Captain Youri Tielemans and his Aston Villa teammate Amadou Onana provide a world-class midfield partnership that will be vital to the team’s balance.

In attack, Leandro Trossard and Jeremy Doku put aside their domestic rivalries to lead Belgium’s frontline, while 21-year-old Matias Fernandez-Pardo, still uncapped at senior level, offers a promising back-up option.

However, there are notable absentees. Lois Openda and Michy Batshuayi have been left out, along with emerging prospects Nathan De Cat, Jorthy Mokio, Mika Godts and Malick Fofana – the latter omission coming as a surprise to many fans.

The question now is whether the Red Devils can finally fulfil their long-standing potential on the world stage.

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Mike Penders (Strasbourg)

Defenders: Thomas Meunier (Lille), Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt), Zeno Debast (Sporting CP), Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton & Hove Albion), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Koni De Winter (Milan), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge), Nathan Ngoy (Lille)

Midfielders: Axel Witsel (Girona), Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Amadou Onana (Aston Villa), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Diego Moreira (Strasbourg)

Forwards: Romelu Lukaku (Napoli), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Alexis Saelemaekers (Milan), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Lille)

World Cup 2026 Fixtures and Key Dates:

June 2, 2026: Croatia vs Belgium, Stadion HNK Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia

June 6, 2026: Belgium vs Tunisia, King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium

June 15, 2026: Belgium vs Egypt, Lumen Field, Seattle, United States

June 21, 2026: Belgium vs Iran, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, United States

June 26, 2026: New Zealand vs Belgium, BC Place, Vancouver, Canada

Post-World Cup Fixtures:

September 25, 2026: Italy vs Belgium, Italy

September 28, 2026: Belgium vs France, King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium

October 2, 2026: Belgium vs Turkiye, King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium

October 5, 2026: France vs Belgium, Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France

November 12, 2026: Turkiye vs Belgium, Venue TBD, Turkiye

November 15, 2026: Belgium vs Italy, King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium

Recent Results:

March 28, 2026: United States 2-5 Belgium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, United States

March 31, 2026: Mexico 1-1 Belgium, Soldier Field, Chicago, United States

November 18, 2025: Belgium 7-0 Liechtenstein, Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liège, Belgium

November 15, 2025: Kazakhstan 1-1 Belgium, Astana Arena, Astana, Kazakhstan

October 13, 2025: Wales 2-4 Belgium, Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales

October 10, 2025: Belgium 0-0 North Macedonia, Planet Group Arena, Ghent, Belgium

September 7, 2025: Belgium 6-0 Kazakhstan, Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht, Belgium

September 4, 2025: Liechtenstein 0-6 Belgium, Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein

June 9, 2025: Belgium 4-3 Wales, King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium

June 6, 2025: North Macedonia 1-1 Belgium, Toše Proeski Arena, Skopje, North Macedonia

Belgium have been placed in Group G for the World Cup 2026.

Rudi Garcia took over as Belgium’s manager in January 2025, steering them clear of Nations League relegation in his first matches in charge. The French coach brings extensive experience from managing clubs such as Lille, Roma, Marseille, Lyon, Al-Nassr, and Napoli – though this is his first stint in international football.

Garcia welcomed back key stars Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne during the March internationals, giving him a clearer idea of his preferred squad ahead of the World Cup.

Romelu Lukaku, often regarded as one of the most underrated forwards of his era, remains central to Belgium’s attack. Despite mixed spells with Manchester United and Chelsea, the 32-year-old has become Belgium’s all-time leading scorer by a margin of more than 60 goals. His recent success in Italy, where he lifted two Serie A titles under Antonio Conte, has reinvigorated his form.

Having been part of the nation’s golden generation, Lukaku now stands as a bridge to a new era for the Red Devils, hoping that the emerging talent around him can elevate Belgium’s chances in Canada, Mexico, and the United States this summer.


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