Belgium's 26-Man Roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Belgium has officially named its squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Under the guidance of head coach Rudi Garcia, the 26-player selection features both seasoned veterans and emerging talent. The Red Devils will kick off their preparations with two friendly matches: June 2 against Croatia in Rijeka, followed by June 6 versus Tunisia in Brussels.
Belgium's Full Squad Breakdown
The Belgian roster includes the following players:
- Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid, Spain), Senne Lammens (Manchester United, England), Mike Penders (Strasbourg, France)
- Defenders: Thomas Meunier (Lille, France), Timothy Castagne (Fulham, England), Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Zeno Debast (Sporting CP, Portugal), Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton, England), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge, Belgium), Koni De Winter (AC Milan, Italy), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge, Belgium)
- Midfielders: Axel Witsel (Girona, Spain), Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli, Italy), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa, England), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge, Belgium), Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta, Italy), Amadou Onana (Aston Villa, England), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers, Scotland), Diego Moreira (Strasbourg, France)
- Forwards: Romelu Lukaku (Napoli, Italy), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal, England), Jérémy Doku (Manchester City, England), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica, Portugal), Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan, Italy), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Lille, France)
Notably, Juventus striker Lois Openda did not make the cut, while Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo earns his first-ever call-up to the national team.
Belgium will compete in Group G during the 2026 World Cup, facing Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand in the group stage. In a related development, Bosnia and Herzegovina has also announced its 26-man squad under head coach Sergej Barbarez, featuring former Zorya Luhansk goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj and renowned striker Edin Džeko.
Belgium's qualification for the World Cup finals underscores the team's enduring legacy, having established itself as one of the world's elite footballing nations in recent years.
This squad, blending experienced campaigners with fresh faces, reflects a serious commitment to preparation and a clear ambition to succeed on the global stage. Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina's presence in the tournament highlights the growing competitive landscape within the group, which could significantly influence match dynamics during the group phase.
As Belgium finalizes its squad for the upcoming World Cup, it's interesting to compare their roster with other national teams preparing for the tournament. For instance, Bosnia has also announced its lineup, highlighting prominent players like Džeko and a former Zorya goalkeeper, showcasing the diverse talent on display at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.