Belgium
World Cup 2026 Group G — fixtures, standings, and knockout path
The post-Courtois reckoning
Thibaut Courtois' abrupt international retirement in 2023 left Belgium scrambling. Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg) and Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest) now compete for the gloves. At 35, Jan Vertonghen anchors a defense that conceded 7 goals in Euro 2024 qualifiers. Domenico Tedesco's 3-4-3 system leans on Jeremy Doku's wing bursts — his 1v1 duels won (63%) topped Premier League charts last season.
Group F's brutal symmetry
Belgium faces Uruguay (June 15, Seattle) and South Korea (June 20, Boston) — both 2022 Round of 16 teams — plus CAF qualifiers Senegal or Morocco. The Uruguay rematch stings: their 2018 semifinal loss featured a Fellaini own goal. Lukaku's 5 career goals against African sides offer hope versus the third opponent. Check /world-cup-2026-groups for live updates.
Red Devils' tournament scars
Since their 2018 bronze, Belgium collapsed when it mattered: blown leads vs France (2022), Croatia (2022), and Slovakia (Euro 2024). Only 4 players remain from Russia 2018. Kevin De Bruyne's 7 World Cup assists tie Maradona's record — but his hamstrings are now a liability. The /world-cup-2026-schedule shows their must-win opener in Dallas on June 11.
Knockout route: top two qualify automatically; a third-place finish may still advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams. View Group G hub →
Group standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgium | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 |  Egypt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 |  Iran | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 |  New Zealand | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fixtures & results
| Match | Date | Group | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium vs EgyptEstadio Seattle | Mon, Jun 15, 2026 · 20:00 ET | g | – | Scheduled |
| Belgium vs IranEstadio Miami | Sat, Jun 20, 2026 · 20:00 ET | g | – | Scheduled |
| New Zealand vs BelgiumBC Place | Sat, Jun 27, 2026 · 04:00 ET | g | – | Scheduled |
Frequently asked questions
Has Belgium ever won the World Cup?+
No. Their best finish was third place in 2018, led by Hazard and Lukaku's 4 goals each.
Which Belgian players retired after 2022?+
Eden Hazard (captain), Toby Alderweireld, and Axel Witsel all retired post-Qatar.
How many World Cups has Belgium qualified for?+
2026 marks their 15th appearance — they missed only 7 tournaments since 1930.
Who is Belgium's all-time top scorer at World Cups?+
Romelu Lukaku with 5 goals (2014–2022), surpassing Marc Wilmots' 4.
What stadium hosts Belgium vs Uruguay?+
Lumen Field, Seattle — where turf conditions could limit De Bruyne's passing range.