Honestly, if you’d asked most fans back in 2022 if the belgium national soccer team had a future, the answer would have been a collective shrug and a sigh. We all saw the "Golden Generation" hit a wall in Qatar. Jan Vertonghen looked tired, Eden Hazard was a shadow of himself, and Kevin De Bruyne basically told the media they were too old to win anything. It felt like the end of an era that never quite reached its peak.
But fast forward to January 2026, and things look weirdly different. Not "perfect," but different.
Belgium just steamrolled their way through World Cup qualifying. They topped Group J with a ridiculous goal difference, finishing things off with a 7-0 demolition of Liechtenstein. They’re ranked 8th in the world right now. Not first, where they sat for years like a permanent fixture, but high enough to remain a problem for anyone who underestimates them.
The Rudi Garcia Era: Chaos or Genius?
When Domenico Tedesco was sacked in January 2025 after that disastrous Nations League slump—remember that 1-0 loss to Israel?—the Belgian FA took a gamble. They brought in Rudi Garcia.
People were skeptical. Garcia is a nomad. He’s been everywhere: Lille, Roma, Lyon, Napoli, even Al-Nassr. But his impact on the belgium national soccer team has been immediate and, frankly, a bit ruthless.
One of his first moves? Restoring Thibaut Courtois.
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The feud between Courtois and Tedesco was the kind of soap opera that usually sinks a national team. Garcia just stepped in and ended it. Courtois is back in goal, looking as sharp as ever for Real Madrid and the Red Devils. He also stripped De Bruyne of the captaincy and gave it to Youri Tielemans. No vote. No consensus. Just a decision. De Bruyne was reportedly fine with it, but it sent a clear message: the hierarchy has changed.
Garcia’s tactics aren't exactly revolutionary, but they fit the current personnel. He’s shifted to a 4-3-3 that focuses on verticality. Basically, get the ball to the wings and let the "young guns" run.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "Golden Generation"
Everyone talks about the Golden Generation being "dead." That's a bit of a reach.
Look at the roster heading into the 2026 World Cup. Kevin De Bruyne is 34. Romelu Lukaku is 32. These guys aren't retired; they’re just playing different roles.
KDB is currently at Napoli, though he’s nursing a nasty high-grade bicep femoris lesion in his right thigh. He’s expected back by late February or March. When he’s on the pitch for the belgium national soccer team, he isn't the box-to-box engine anymore. He's the "hybrid No. 10," drifting into half-spaces and picking out passes that most players don't even see on a replay.
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Then there’s Lukaku. 89 international goals. Think about that number.
He’s the all-time leading scorer for a reason. Even as he’s slowed down, his gravity in the box creates space for the players who are actually the "new" face of Belgium.
The New Vanguard
If you want to know why Belgium is still relevant, look at these three:
- Jérémy Doku: The Manchester City winger is pure chaos. He doesn't just dribble; he destroys defensive structures. In the 2026 qualifiers, he and De Bruyne combined for 10 goals in just a handful of matches.
- Loïs Openda: Currently at Juventus, Openda is the transition. He’s faster than Lukaku and fits Garcia’s high-tempo system perfectly.
- Charles De Ketelaere: After a rough start in Italy a few years back, he’s found his soul at Atalanta. He brings a level of technical elegance that replaces some of what was lost when Eden Hazard stepped away.
The 2026 World Cup Outlook
The draw for the 2026 World Cup in North America is out, and the belgium national soccer team has a path that’s... manageable. But dangerous.
Group G Schedule:
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- June 15: vs. Egypt (Seattle)
- June 21: vs. Iran (Los Angeles)
- June 26: vs. New Zealand (Vancouver)
Egypt is the big test here. Facing Mo Salah in Seattle is a nightmare for any defense, let alone a Belgian backline that is still the team’s biggest question mark. Vertonghen is still the caps leader with 157, but he’s 38. The team is desperately leaning on younger defenders like Koni De Winter (AC Milan) and Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton) to step up.
If they can’t handle the speed of elite transitions, the 2022 group-stage exit could happen all over again.
Why You Should Still Care
The Red Devils aren't the favorites to win it all. They aren't Spain, and they aren't France.
But for the first time in a decade, they are playing without the suffocating pressure of being the "World Number One." They are hunters now, not the hunted.
Garcia has built a team that thrives on 60-70% possession but knows how to strike in three passes. They scored 29 goals in 8 qualifying matches. That's not a fluke.
If Courtois stays fit and De Bruyne’s thigh holds up for one last summer run, this "transitional" team might actually do what the Golden Generation couldn't: play with freedom.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Watch the defensive rotation: Keep an eye on the March friendlies to see if Garcia sticks with the veteran Brandon Mechele or fully commits to the De Winter/Theate partnership. This will decide their World Cup fate.
- Monitor the KDB recovery: His injury at Napoli is significant. If he isn't back to full match fitness by May, the creative burden falls entirely on Tielemans and De Ketelaere.
- Value the wing play: In your tactical breakdowns or fantasy lineups, prioritize Doku and Bakayoko. Garcia’s system is designed to isolate them 1v1 on the flanks.
The story of the belgium national soccer team isn't a eulogy. It’s a reboot. And honestly? The second version might be more fun to watch than the first.