Rudi Garcia has named his 26-man Belgium squad for the World Cup with Ajax talisman Mika Godts one of several surprise exclusions.

The French head coach leads Belgium into his first major tournament, having taken over from Domenico Tedesco last January, with his current contract expiring at the end of the World Cup.

Garcia may no longer have a golden generation to choose from, like predecessors Roberto Martinez and Tedesco, but the last four remnants of that era are represented in the squad in the shape of Napoli pair Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Girona midfielder Axel Witsel, all of whom may be making their last World Cup appearance.

De Bruyne and Lukaku have had significant spells out through injury this season but are set to represent their country at a fourth World Cup.

Belgium have not lost a qualifying match for a major tournament in almost 16 years but enter this summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico as outsiders for the first time in a generation.

They narrowly lost to Argentina in the quarter-final in 2014 and, having beaten Brazil at the same stage in 2018, lost to France in the semi-final.

Belgium have been drawn in Group G, alongside Egypt, Iran and New Zealand.

What are Garcia’s biggest selection calls?

Witsel’s inclusion is the most contentious. His place was uncertain but the 37-year-old’s experience is valued by Garcia in a young squad, as is the versatility of being able to play centre-back and defensive midfield.

He and Rangers midfielder Nico Raskin have been preferred to Parma’s Mandela Keita, Chelsea’s Romeo Lavia, Marseille’s Arthur Vermeeren and Anderlecht’s talented 17-year old midfielder Nathan De Cat, who has enjoyed an impressive breakthrough season.

In forward areas, Jeremy Doku, Leandro Trossard, Charles De Ketelaere and Alexis Saelemaekers are all present but Lyon’s exciting 21-year-old winger Malick Fofana, who recently returned from an ankle sprain, has not been called.

There is room up front for Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo, who reversed his decision to represent Spain last year, having not earned a senior cap under Luis de la Fuente. He has been preferred to Juventus forward Luis Openda, who has only one goal since joining on loan from RB Leipzig last summer.

Lukaku is also selected despite injury restricting him to just five Serie A appearances and one goal this season. The 33-year-old has scored 89 goals in 124 appearances for Belgium, but has not represented his country since June 2025.

Godts is among those who miss out for Belgium (Kamil Krzaczynski/ AFP via Getty Images)

Perhaps the biggest omission, however, is that of Ajax forward Godts. The 20-year-old is a maverick talent who is joint-second in the Eredivisie scoring charts with 17 goals and a further 12 assists.

In the goalkeeping department, Starsbourg’s Mike Penders, on loan from Chelsea, has won the third slot ahead of Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels. Manchester United’s Senne Lammens will deputise for Courtois.

Belgium will hope their status as dark horses rather than one of the favourites can free them up at this summer’s tournament.

Doku has become the team’s talisman but De Bruyne will want to have one final attempt at leading his country to greatness, when it is least expected.

Belgium 2026 World Cup squad in full

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Mike Penders (Strasbourg, on loan from Chelsea).

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).