By Rasheed Adewuyi, New York
Belgium have officially unveiled their squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, with head coach Rudi Garcia naming a blend of experienced stars and rising talents in what many observers see as the beginning of a new chapter for the Red Devils after the decline of their famed “golden generation.”
The squad announcement, made at the Belgian federation headquarters in Brussels, places veteran midfielder Kevin De Bruyne at the heart of Belgium’s World Cup ambitions once again. The Napoli playmaker is expected to captain the side, while striker Romelu Lukaku retains his place despite an injury-hit and inconsistent club campaign.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also returns as one of the squad’s most experienced figures, reinforcing Garcia’s decision to preserve leadership and tournament experience within the team while gradually integrating a younger generation.
Belgium’s evolving attack features exciting young talents who earned selection after impressive performances at club level. Jérémy Doku is expected to provide pace and creativity on the wings, while Charles De Ketelaere offers flexibility across midfield and attack.
Midfielder Amadou Onana has also emerged as a central figure in Belgium’s long-term rebuilding plans, reflecting the national team’s gradual transition toward a younger core ahead of future international competitions.
One of the most talked-about inclusions was Matias Fernandez-Pardo, whose rapid rise has attracted attention across Europe. His selection is widely viewed as another signal that Belgium are attempting to refresh the squad with players capable of leading the next generation of the national team.
Belgium enter the tournament carrying more cautious expectations than in previous years. After finishing third at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the Red Devils struggled to replicate the same consistency in subsequent international tournaments, fueling debate over whether the country’s most talented footballing generation failed to maximize its potential on the global stage.
Garcia, however, insisted the current squad should not be judged by the disappointments of the past.
Drawn in Group G alongside the Egypt national football team, Iran national football team, and New Zealand national football team, Belgium are still widely expected to challenge for qualification to the knockout rounds.
Yet recent World Cup tournaments have repeatedly shown that reputation alone offers little protection against disciplined and organized opposition.
For Belgium, this squad announcement represents more than preparation for another World Cup campaign. It symbolizes an attempt to redefine the identity of the national team after years spent carrying the burden of enormous expectation.
Whether the tournament becomes a final act for established stars like De Bruyne and Lukaku, or the foundation of a new era built around younger talents, could ultimately determine how this Belgian generation is remembered in football history.
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