By: Precious Miracle Kargbo Snr
Belgium’s 2026 World Cup campaign has failed to ignite, as the highly experienced side remain without a win after two group matches, despite arriving with one of the most talented and experienced squads in the tournament.
The so-called “golden generation” featuring stars such as Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Thibaut Courtois has yet to deliver a victory, raising early concerns about their ability to compete at the highest level in what could be a final major tournament cycle for several key players.
Belgium began their campaign with a 1–1 draw against Egypt, a match in which they struggled to break down a well-organised African side. Despite controlling possession for long periods, they were forced to rely on an own goal to secure a point, with their attacking play lacking sharpness in the final third.
Their second outing against Iran ended in another setback, a 0–0 draw that highlighted their ongoing attacking issues. Even with sustained pressure and territorial dominance, Belgium failed to score from open play and were frustrated by a disciplined Iranian defensive performance.
Across both matches, Belgium have shown control in spells but have lacked cutting edge, finishing with two draws and no wins, leaving their qualification hopes under pressure heading into the final group fixture.
The situation is particularly concerning given the strength of their squad on paper, with expectations far higher than what has been delivered so far on the pitch.
As the group stage continues, Belgium now face increasing pressure to respond, knowing that anything short of a win in their final match could put their tournament survival serious risk.
Source: Touchline