When does Belgium play at World Cup 2026?

Belgium's golden generation is fading, but it hasn't quite finished. Kevin De Bruyne will turn 35 during the tournament and this is almost certainly his last World Cup. The generation that reached a semi-final in 2018, topped the world rankings, and was supposed to win something major is giving way without ever quite fulfilling its promise. That unfulfilled potential is both Belgium's defining characteristic and their deepest frustration.

Their World Cup record includes a third-place finish in 1986 and that 2018 semi-final in Russia, where they lost to France. In between, there were dark years of non-qualification that lasted from 2002 to 2014. The golden generation's return to prominence was supposed to deliver a trophy, but a quarter-final exit to Argentina in 2014, the semi-final loss to France in 2018, and a disastrous 2022 group-stage exit told a story of diminishing returns.

New coach Rudi Garcia has brought fresh energy after the turbulent end to the previous regime, which saw Thibaut Courtois refuse to play. The Real Madrid goalkeeper is back now, and Garcia has been bold in introducing young players while maintaining a 4-3-3 shape focused on possession and counter-pressing. Belgium went unbeaten in qualifying, which provided stability if not excitement.

Jeremy Doku has emerged as one of football's most exciting wingers and represents the next wave of Belgian talent. His dribbling ability is electric, and he could be the breakout star of the tournament. De Bruyne will orchestrate from midfield for the final time, and Romelu Lukaku remains a potent goalscoring threat despite questions about his fitness. The blend of experienced veterans and hungry young players could work, or it could create an identity crisis.

Group G pairs them with Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand. It's a group Belgium should win, but their defense has looked shaky under Garcia and could be exposed by Mohamed Salah and Egypt's quick transitions. Iran are experienced at this level, and New Zealand will compete physically. The real question isn't the group but what comes after: can Belgium still deliver in knockout football, or has the window closed?

A quarter-final appearance would match recent expectations, but anything less than escaping the group would be a genuine crisis. Belgium are in transition, and the timing isn't ideal for a World Cup. But De Bruyne at his best can still control any match, Courtois is one of the world's best goalkeepers, and Doku's emergence gives them a dimension they didn't have before. Whether the old guard and the new guard can mesh in time is the central question. If they can, Belgium remain dangerous. If they can't, this could be the tournament where the golden generation's story ends with a whimper.