Belgium wasted the 'golden generation', but there is still hope for the World Cup 2026
Two draws against Egypt and Iran have left Belgium on the brink of an early exit, but the campaign has a chance of survival if they can muster a result against New Zealand—if Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku can shoulder the weight of the tournament.
After years of talk about what would be next for their 'golden generation', Belgium find themselves in a painful reality: two consecutive draws against Egypt and Iran have put the Red Devils in a precarious position at World Cup 2026. As they face New Zealand in their next match, there is still hope—given the tournament's new format, a cautious result seems to be enough to advance. But after the disappointments of this first part, it comes with heavy pressure.
The campaign was also shrouded in unnecessary controversy when Jeremy Doku temporarily left the camp for the birth of his child—a personal decision that drew mixed opinions. On the pitch, the problem was more obvious: Belgium were winless and Egypt's only 'own goal'—forced by Romelu Lukaku—was their only 'goal'. The fear of an early exit evaporated again, as did the bitter memory of the ninth time four years ago.
If the campaign ends up being cut short, it will likely be the last World Cup for the pillars of the generation: Kevin De Bruyne, Lukaku, Thomas Meunier, and Axel Witsel. Earlier, De Bruyne candidly admitted that the team's level was "not good enough" and that there were "simple mistakes" holding them back. Some can be seen tired and wounded; thousands of minutes and long seasons poured into their bodies for over a decade.
Worst of all, Belgium lacks a natural centre-back. That's the crack that was more revealed after Nathan Ngoy's red card in the clash against Iran. This shows why it is difficult for small countries to remain competitive in every position at the right time—even with a 'golden generation'.
<figure style="margin:2rem 0;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #e2e2e2;background:#f9f9f9"><img src="https://s.yimg.com/os/en/the_independent_us_sports_articles_270/d06144e391bf0aa95c98160b0ecf808f" alt="Image" style="width:100%;height:auto;object-fit:contain" loading="lazy" /></figure>Despite this, this country's tradition of great goalkeepers remains deep. Thibaut Courtois has been among the best in the world over the past decade, but his departure from national duty following a row with the former coach has opened the door to new names such as Senne Lammens and Mike Penders. The young gatekeepers have potential, but they don't immediately close the gap at the back that opponents have long targeted.
Up front, Belgium still rely on its two stars. Lukaku, who has already broken all the scoring records for the country, is expected to end the chances—but he will have to shake off the nightmare of the minutes last edition. De Bruyne, despite his 'magical' right foot, will have to overcome the challenge of physical fatigue to re-guide the team's rhythm and imagination. When Charles De Ketelaere is leading the line, he favors the 'false nine' role further adding to the question of where the obvious finishes will come from.
In the new format of the tournament, there may be a way even if not to be the champion of the group. But the question is: is Belgium good enough to take advantage of this? The initial evidence is not good. There were times when they showed quality—such as Maxim De Cuyper's blocked shot that was denied by Iran's extraordinary volley—but time and time again they ended up hanging on. And behind it all, there is still the memory of a historic win against Brazil that revived the belief that they can hold their own against the world's greatest—a legacy they now need to return to.
Against New Zealand, even a workable result could lock up a place in the next round. But that's not enough to quiet the suspicions: the 'golden generation' is getting older, and the quality of the next generation seems to be uneven. So if Belgium have one last shot at this World Cup, it will have to come from De Bruyne and Lukaku—the same architects of their heyday—to revive the Red Devils when it matters most.
