The most talented squad in Belgium’s recent history, which has had outstanding spells in the world’s main leagues in recent years, is very close to completing its journey with the national team in this 2026 World Cup.
Athletes Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois and Axel Witsel, all over the age of 30, are likely to make their last appearance in the tournament which has venues divided between the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Veterans in action
Even though the technical peak period seems to be behind us, the coaching staff still has figures left over from the 2014 and 2018 competitions who play a fundamental role in the tactical structure. Archer Courtois and midfielder De Bruyne emerge as the references that probably end their World Cup stories.
The goalkeeper’s future in the national team remains without definitive definition. At 34 years of age, he is an absolute starter for Real Madrid and begins competing in yet another World Cup, consolidated in the history of Belgian sport. If he maintains his high-level performance in Spain, he will turn 38 in the next cycle and will have a chance of playing in another World Cup.
Kevin De Bruyne, who is also 34 years old, is among the most important creative minds in this group. Defending the colors of Napoli, from Italy, the midfielder who made his mark at Manchester City faces the North American tournament with the mission of leading the squad’s rejuvenation process.
In the next edition of the competition, the player will be 38 years old, which represents one year more compared to another name with a strong impact on the country’s football history: center forward Romelu Lukaku.
Currently 33 years old, the Napoli striker arrives at the tournament facing difficulties resulting from a muscle injury and is looking to regain ideal physical condition. In the same way as his club teammate, the athlete who spent time at Chelsea, Manchester United, Roma and Inter Milan presents himself for the competition without the same technical protagonism he had in previous seasons.
Remnants of 2018
Midfielder Axel Witsel, winger Thomas Meunier and playmaker Youri Tielemans participated directly in the knockout clash against Brazil in 2018 and face the possibility of playing in the last World Cup. In the group of veterans, Witsel appears as the oldest in the sector, aged 37.
The youngest member on this list is Tielemans, who is 29 years old and is capable of continuing in the federation’s planning for the coming years. At the World Cup in Russia, when he was 21 years old, he entered the field on four occasions and contributed two passes to the goal. At the current stage of his career, Witsel plays deep in the defense sector, while Meunier, aged 34, maintains a constant game routine.
Other idols have already retired
Holding third place in the 2018 World Cup — the best result in the country’s football history, obtained after overcoming the Brazilian team in the quarter-final stage —, Belgium saw the departure from the pitch of several exponents of that generation in recent years.
Vincent Kompany and Eden Hazard, who started the duel against the team led by Tite on Russian territory, have already ended their careers as professional athletes. The former defender left the field in the 2020 season, when he was 34 years old, and currently holds the position of coach of Bayern Munich, in Germany.
In turn, the former striker with remarkable spells at Chelsea and Real Madrid was present at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when the Belgians fell in the first phase, and chose to make his retirement official in 2023.
Belgium’s game schedule in Group G of the 2026 World Cup:
- 06/15 – Belgium x Egypt – Seattle Field
- 06/21 – Belgium x Iran – Los Angeles
- 06/27 – New Zealand x Belgium – Vancouver Place