Belgium have officially confirmed their 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup, and it’s spelt the end of the country’s Golden Generation.
The 2026 World Cup is almost upon us with the opening match between hosts Mexico and South Africa now less than four weeks away.
Ahead of the tournament officially kicking off on June 11, all of the 48 teams competing in the World Cup will have to announce their final squad list that will arrive in North America, with each team bringing up to 26 players.
France were among the first major nations to confirm their squad, as Didier Deschamps made the surprise call to leave Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga at home, while the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Desire Doue and Rayan Cherki were among the stars to feature.
Now, Belgium have released their official squad list, and it’s safe to say that gone are the days that the European nation could be considered to be top contenders for the biggest trophy in football.
It comes as no surprise that Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is the first name on Belgium’s squad list and will likely start in nets despite Manchester United’s Senne Lammens impressing in his first season at Old Trafford.
Other star players included in the squad are Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku, Premier League legend Kevin de Bruyne, Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard and Romelu Lukaku, who is set to appear in his seventh major international tournament.
Although Belgium still boasts some formidable players, many of the stars of Golden Generation of the 2010s are either past their prime or no longer in the squad.
The squad of players was made up of the likes of Courtois, Vincent Kompany,, De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Lukaku and reached no.1 in the FIFA World Rankings and held it for four years (2018-2022) but famously never won a major trophy.
However, Belgium manager Rudi Garcia will hope that his side can surprise everyone and put together a good run that could see them finally make it all the way at the World Cup.
Belgium World Cup 2026 squad list in fullGoalkeepersThibaut CourtoisMike PendersSenne LammensDefendersTimothy CastagneZeno DebastMaxim De CuyperKoni De WinterBrandon MecheleThomas MeunierNathan NgoyJoaquin SeysArthur TheateMidfieldersKevin De BruyneAmadou OnanaYouri TielemansHans VanakenNicolas RaskinAxel WitselAttackersCharles De KetelaereJeremy DokuMatias Fernandez-PardoRomelu LukakuDodi LukebakioDiego MoreiraAlexis SaelemaekersLeandro Trossard