Belgium will look to build on their 2022 World Cup campaign. While they did not reach the final, they finished third after a strong run to the semifinals, and they will be relying once again on several key figures from what has long been considered the country's golden generation.
Despite an underwhelming season at SSC Napoli compounded by injury setbacks, Romelu Lukaku has been included in the squad and is set to feature in his fourth World Cup. Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne also makes the cut, alongside fellow veterans Thibaut Courtois, Axel Witsel, and Thomas Meunier.
The squad also features promising young talent. Winger Jérémy Doku arrives off a strong season with Manchester City, while Diego Moreira, a versatile player capable of operating on either flank as well as in central midfield, has been called up after a solid campaign with RC Strasbourg. One of the most notable inclusions is young sensation Matias Fernandez-Pardo, who was eligible to represent Spain but chose to commit his future to Belgium. This will mark his first senior call-up.
Among the absentees are Loïs Openda, Arthur Vermeeren, Romeo Lavia, Malick Fofana, and Mike Godts, with some viewing Godts as the most surprising omission.
Head coach Rudi Garcia emphasized the importance of team spirit and balance in his selection. "The concept of team spirit was important. We needed to stick with a squad that had performed well in the qualifiers, taking into account how the players complement each other and striking a balance between experience and youth," he said.
Garcia added: "This squad is built around playing well and getting on well together. We need to distinguish between our objective and our ambition. Ambition knows no bounds; we all dream of going all the way."
Belgium have been drawn into Group G alongside Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand. They will open their campaign against Egypt on June 15th at Lumen Field in Seattle.
Belgium 2026 World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Mike Penders (Strasbourg).
Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Zeno Debast (Sporting CP), Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton), Koni De Winter (Milan), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Thomas Meunier (Lille), Nathan Ngoy (Lille), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge), Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt).
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli), Amadou Onana (Aston Villa), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Girona).
Forwards: Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Matias Fernandez Pardo (Lille), Romelu Lukaku (Napoli), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Diego Moreira (Strasbourg), Alexis Saelemaekers (Milan), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal).
