# World Cup 2026: Belgium Preview – Golden Generation Gets One Last Shot But the Future Is Already Here

URL: https://technosports.co.in/world-cup-2026-belgium-preview-one-last-shot/  
Published: 2026-06-16  
Updated: 2026-06-16  
Author: Ankush Mallick

Despite never having won anything at international level — their only major final appearance being a **Euro 1980** defeat to West Germany — hopes in **Belgium** are once again high going into the **[World Cup](https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026)**.

In a group alongside **Egypt**, **Iran**, and **New Zealand**, reaching the knockout stages is being treated as a near-certainty. But the broader story of **Belgium’s 2026 World Cup** is one of transition: from the celebrated **‘golden generation’** to the **‘next generation’**, and the question of whether the two groups together can finally deliver the prize that has eluded Belgian football for so long.

## The Golden Generation’s Last Stand

For more than a decade, Belgian football has been defined by a remarkable concentration of talent that — for all its individual brilliance — never won anything. **Eden Hazard**, **Dries Mertens**, **Vincent Kompany**, **Jan Vertonghen**, **Toby Alderweireld**, **Mousa Dembélé** — all retired without silverware.

![World Cup 2026](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Belgiums-golden-generation-world-cup-2018-1024x576.jpg)

The best achievement of this group remains a **third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup**, after being knocked out by eventual winners France in the semi-finals before beating England in the third-place play-off.

Four members of that golden generation remain: **Thibaut Courtois**, **Kevin De Bruyne**, **Romelu Lukaku**, and **Axel Witsel**. All four are centurions.

| Belgium’s Centurions in the 2026 Squad | Caps | Age at Opening Game |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Axel Witsel | 136 | 37 years, 154 days |
| Romelu Lukaku | 124 | 33/34 |
| Kevin De Bruyne | 117 | 33/34 |
| Thibaut Courtois | 107 | 33/34 |

Only **Qatar (7)**, **Croatia (4)**, and **Panama (4)** named as many centurions in their initial **World Cup** squads. **Witsel**, at **37 years and 154 days** on the day of Belgium’s opening match, could become the **oldest player to feature for Belgium at a major tournament**, breaking the record currently held by **Wilfried van Moer (37 years and 119 days at the 1982 World Cup)**. For all four players, this is almost certainly their final major tournament.

## The Club Form Concerns

The fitness and form of Belgium’s senior quartet heading into this tournament have been far from ideal.

**Courtois** played **51 games for Real Madrid** in all competitions in 2025-26 but came off injured at half-time in the Champions League last 16, missing the club’s most important matches of the season.

**Witsel** played **32 La Liga matches** for **Girona** — a side that was relegated to the Segunda División.

**Lukaku** played just **64 minutes for Napoli** in 2025-26 due to injuries and multiple, well-documented misunderstandings with manager **Antonio Conte** and club president **Aurelio De Laurentiis**. This from a striker who scored a remarkable **90 international goals for Belgium** and had been central to Napoli’s Scudetto-winning campaign the previous year.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Kevin-de-Bruyne-goal-contributions-2025-26-all-comps-1024x768.jpg)

**De Bruyne’s** first season in Naples was the most concerning. He played just **21 matches in all competitions** — a career-low — while contributing just **nine goal involvements (5 goals, 4 assists)**, his lowest tally since leaving Belgian outfit KRC Genk in **2012**. A hamstring injury sustained after scoring a penalty against eventual Serie A champions Internazionale in October largely defined his season.

## Jérémy Doku: The Heir to the Creative Throne

**Belgium’s** most exciting talent heading into this tournament is **De Bruyne’s** former Manchester City teammate, **Jérémy Doku**. The 24-year-old winger is coming off the best season of his career.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Jeremy-Doku-dribbles-Premier-League-2025-26-1024x768.jpg)

| Jérémy Doku — 2025-26 Season | Stat |
| --- | --- |
| Goals (all competitions) | 10 |
| Assists (all competitions) | 11 |
| Total appearances | 50 |
| Dribbles per 90 — Premier League | 4.2 (most of any player) |
| Dribbles per 90 — Champions League | 5.6 (most of any player) |

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Jeremy-Doku-dribbles-Champions-League-2025-26.jpg)

His ability to complete more dribbles per 90 than any other player in **both** the Premier League and the Champions League in the same season is an extraordinary statistical achievement. He represents the next generation’s clearest claim to leading **Belgium’s** attack.

## The New Faces: Moreira, Fernandez-Pardo, Ngoy

### Diego Moreira

Son of former Guinea-Bissau international Almami Moreira and born in Liège, **Moreira** featured for almost every **Portuguese** youth team before being called up by **Garcia** for the **Belgian** national squad in **2025** — a significant allegiance switch that reflected the federation’s efforts to retain talent.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Diego-Moreira-1024x836.jpg)
*RENTON, WASHINGTON – JUNE 09: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) (EDITOR’S NOTE: This image has been digitally altered.) Diego Moreira #19 of Belgium poses for a portrait during the official FIFA World Cup 2026 portrait session on June 09, 2026 in Renton, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)*

His **Strasbourg** season was impressive: **five goals and eight assists** in all competitions, a **Conference League** semi-final appearance, and remarkable dribbling numbers. Only **seven players** attempted more dribbles per 90 than him in the Conference League this season **(5.6)**, and he ranked **20th in Ligue 1** among players with at least 1,000 minutes.

### Matias Fernandez-Pardo

Another recent arrival — **Brussels-born** and only recently welcomed back to the Belgian national team after requesting an allegiance switch to Spain in 2025.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Matias-Fernandez-Pardo-1024x739.jpg)
*RENTON, WASHINGTON – JUNE 09: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) (EDITOR’S NOTE: This image has been digitally altered.) Matias Fernandez-Pardo #26 of Belgium poses for a portrait during the official FIFA World Cup 2026 portrait session on June 09, 2026 in Renton, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)*

The **21-year-old Lille forward** scored **eight goals and provided four assists** in 41 Ligue 1 appearances this season. His inclusion has been perceived as a statement by the federation, coming after the loss of top young talents **Jorthy Mokio** (to DR Congo) and **Rayane Bounida** (to Morocco) in recent years.

### Nathan Ngoy

With **Vertonghen** and **Alderweireld** retired since the last **World Cup**, **Garcia** needed to rebuild his backline. **Ngoy** — 23, signed by Lille after going under the radar at Standard Liège — quickly became a regular for a side that finished **third in Ligue 1** with the **third-best defensive record**. He only made his national team debut in March but has since started all three of Belgium’s matches.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Nathan-Ngoy-1024x876.jpg)
*ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 28: Nathan Ngoy #20 of Belgium reacts after a 5-1 victory in an international friendly against the United States at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/USSF/Getty Images)*

In those games, he won **75% of his aerial duels**, made the **most clearances and headed clearances** of any Belgium teammate, and registered the **joint-most interceptions and recoveries**.

## A More Well-Rounded Squad Than the ‘Golden Years’?

The remarkable aspect of **Belgium’s** current squad is that the combination of remaining golden generation members and this new wave of talent may actually produce a more balanced, well-rounded group than any previous iteration.

Beyond **Doku**, **Moreira**, **Fernandez-Pardo**, and **Ngoy**, add a more mature **Charles De Ketelaere**, the Premier League experience of **Amadou Onana**, and **Leandro Trossard’s** recent form for **Premier League champions and Champions League finalists Arsenal** — and this looks like a squad with genuine attacking depth, defensive solidity, and creative variety across multiple positions.

The reliance on any single individual — previously centred almost entirely on **De Bruyne** — is reduced. **Lukaku** will have genuine wide options around him. **Doku** provides a direct threat that defenders must plan for specifically. The backline has been refreshed without sacrificing defensive organisation.

## The Central Question

Will the final pillars of the **golden generation** finally bring **Belgium** a prize at their last opportunity? Or will the **next generation** be the real driving force?

The honest answer is: probably both. **De Bruyne’s** vision and passing — even in reduced form — remains elite when he is fit. **Courtois’** goalkeeping is still world-class. **Lukaku’s** 90 international goals reflect a predatory quality that does not simply vanish.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Belgium-Squad-1024x768.jpg)

But if **Belgium** go deep into this tournament, it will be **Doku’s** dribbles, **Moreira’s** creativity, and **Ngoy’s** defensive assurance that provide the legs under the experience.

Read More: [OFFICIAL: Tunisia Sack Head Coach Sabri Lamouchi After Humiliating 5-1 World Cup Opening Defeat to Sweden](https://technosports.co.in/tunisia-coach-sabri-lamouchi-world-cup-2026/)

## FAQs

### What is Belgium’s best-ever achievement at a World Cup?

Belgium’s best World Cup finish is third place, achieved at the 2018 World Cup in Russia after losing to eventual winners France in the semi-finals before beating England in the third-place play-off.

### How many centurions does Belgium have in their 2026 World Cup squad?

Belgium have four players with 100 or more caps: Axel Witsel (136), Romelu Lukaku (124), Kevin De Bruyne (117), and Thibaut Courtois (107). Only Qatar, Croatia, and Panama named as many centurions in their initial squads.

### What record could Axel Witsel set at World Cup 2026?

At 37 years and 154 days old on Belgium’s opening match day, Witsel could become the oldest player to feature for Belgium at a major tournament, breaking Wilfried van Moer’s record set at the 1982 World Cup (37 years and 119 days).

### Who is Belgium’s most exciting young player at World Cup 2026?

Jérémy Doku (24) is Belgium’s standout young talent — he completed more dribbles per 90 than any other player in both the Premier League (4.2) and Champions League (5.6) in 2025-26, while scoring 10 goals and assisting 11 more across 50 appearances.

### Who are Belgium’s key new faces at the 2026 World Cup?

Diego Moreira (Strasbourg), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Lille), and Nathan Ngoy (Lille) are the most prominent new additions —representing a deliberate effort by the Belgian federation to build the next generation around the final members of the golden era.