Belgium’s journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup was less a battle for survival and more a statement of enduring quality. In a qualifying campaign defined by discipline, attacking efficiency, and an unbeaten record, the Red Devils once again proved why they remain one of Europe’s most consistent footballing forces.
The Golden Generation from the previous World Cups certainly were expected to perform better but couldn’t convert the hopes into reality. With the young guns like Jeremy Doku, Luis Openda and experienced veterans like Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, there is certainly a balance of experience. Their thumping performance in the qualifiers has raised the bar once again. Their qualification path offers a compelling blend of dominance, resilience, and tactical maturity, setting the stage for yet another promising World Cup adventure.
Let us analyse Belgium’s performance in the qualifiers and predict their chances in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.
How UEFA 2026 Qualification Works
For 2026, UEFA allocated 16 slots for European teams.
The format: 12 groups (some of 4 teams, some of 5) in a home-and-away round-robin, from March to November 2025. The winner of each group automatically qualifies. The runners-up (plus a few high-ranked teams from the UEFA Nations League) enter a playoff to compete for the remaining 4 European World Cup spots.
Belgium’s Road: Group J and Direct Qualification
Belgium was drawn in Group J along with Wales national football team, North Macedonia national football team, Kazakhstan national football team and Liechtenstein national football team. Because Belgium were involved in Nations League promotion/relegation play-offs in March 2025, they began their World Cup qualifying matches in June 2025.
Belgium played 8 matches in the group and remained unbeaten throughout the qualifiers by securing 5 wins and 3 draws. They scored a mammoth tally of 29 goals and conceded only 7. Here are the match summaries in which The Red Devils were ruthless and showed no mercy to their opponents-
1. Belgium 6–0 Liechtenstein (Home)
Their first big win of the campaign. With 82% possession, Belgium’s attack went all out with 28 shot attempts and 9 were on target. Tielemans scored a brace.
Belgium overperformed with an xG of 3.33. This was the perfect scoreline to kickstart their qualifier campaign.
Game. Set. Match. 👌#ScoredWithING pic.twitter.com/NpFHexxYIs
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) September 4, 2025
2. Wales 2–4 Belgium (Away)
Arguably Belgium’s most crucial victory of the qualifiers. Belgium scored four goals and showed resilience even when Wales threatened a comeback. Belgium scored four goals and showed resilience even when Wales threatened a comeback. Away to Wales is always tough (hostile atmosphere, physically strong team).
Kevin De Bruyne scored a brace and returned to the scoresheet. Leandro Trossard made a brilliant assist and was quite close to scoring as well.
3 points sealed. ✅ #WALBEL pic.twitter.com/dXnHsdalF2
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) October 13, 2025
3. Belgium 6–0 Kazakhstan (Home)
Belgium overwhelmed Kazakhstan with tempo, movement and clinical finishing. The former Manchester City duo of Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku scored 4 goals amongst them. Kazakhstan were defensively firm for the 1st 40 minutes but lost tempo and never found the way back. The substitutes Alexis Saelemaekers and Thomas Meunier also found their way into the net.
Belgium had 66% possession and 32 shot attempts. 14 shots were on target. They again overperformed with their xG peeking to 3.56. This was their 2nd 6-0 scoreline of the qualifiers.
Score so nice, we did it twice. ✅#ScoredWithING pic.twitter.com/0aNGbIfsAL
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) September 7, 2025
4. Belgium 7–0 Liechtenstein (Final Matchday)
They needed a strong result to secure Group J, and they delivered emphatically. Seven goals, clean sheet, complete control from start to finish. This match officially sealed their qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
With Doku and De Ketelearae scoring brace, Belgium just like their last encounter had 82% possession and had an xG of 3.87. This win also sealed their 1st spot in the table too.
Rudi Garcia: Belgium’s mastermind
Rudi Garcia was appointed head coach of Belgium in January 2025, replacing Domenico Tedesco. His hiring came with the remit of guiding Belgium through the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Early in his tenure, one of his first decisions was to restore Thibaut Courtois to the national squad after a period of absence. He also appointed Youri Tielemans as the new permanent captain under his leadership.
Tactics, formation & player roles under Garcia
- Typical Formation: 4-3-3 (or 4-2-3-1 in certain matches): According to a tactical analysis of one match (away vs Wales), Garcia used a 4-2-3-1 lineup: goalkeeper Courtois; a back four; two midfielders in a double pivot; one attacking midfield-playmaker; and wingers/forwards out wide.
For broader attacking strategy, some observers identify Belgium under Garcia as a 4-3-3 side — a system designed to maximize width, dribbling and individual talent from wide players and creative midfielders.
- Style of Play: Pressing, Possession & Dribbling + Width: The team favored regaining possession high up the pitch rather than sitting deep always.
With wide forwards and creative midfielders, Belgium often looked to break defenses with dribbling, quick transitions, and attacking runs, opening lanes for their wingers and playmakers.
Rather than aimless passing, their build-up often aimed at creating chances through controlled possession, especially to allow creative players to express themselves in the final third.
In matches where a slightly more conservative or balanced structure was needed (for example away games), two deeper midfielders provided defensive cover, protected the back four, and helped control the tempo of the game.
With the return of Courtois, Belgium bolstered its defensive reliability. Under Garcia, the defensive structure was organized and often complemented by fluid transitions into attack.
- Players performances so far
Kevin De Bruyne- He was a free-roaming creator in the half-spaces and was in a “hybrid No. 8/10” role.
Jeremy Doku- His dribbling ability created chaos among the opponent’s defense.
Bakayoko: Vertical runs from the far side and crosses deep inside the penalty box helped the Belgium forwards. This will become more lethal when Lukaku will return alongside Openda.
Thibaut Courtois- He continued his hot form from Real Madrid to the national team as well. Belgium had 4 clean sheets out of the 8 games they played.
PREDICTION: How Belgium Will Perform at the 2026 World Cup
Belgium is drawn in Group G alongside Egypt, Iran and New Zealand. To understand your favourite team’s group and their positions in the World Cup, you can refer to this detailed article.
Considering their performance in the Qualifiers, here is our prediction for the World Cup 2026
- Group Stage Performance- Likely Outcome: Qualify Comfortably
Belgium’s consistency in qualifying (unbeaten, strong attacking numbers) suggests they will win their group comfortably.
- Round of 32- Due to more nations participating in the World Cup, this year an extra knockout has been created which will not just feature top 2 teams from each group but also best 3rd placed teams from all groups. This means Belgium will face the 3rd placed team from either Group A/E/H/I or J. Belgium will win this match comfortably.
- Round of 16- Belgium will face a tougher team in this round and they will win in the injury time to advance to the quarterfinals.
- Quarterfinals- Belgium will fight well but we could see an upside down match for the Red Devils and they could get knocked out from the World Cup.
So Our predictions for Belgium is they will compete till the Quarterfinals of the World Cup.
