Belgium Are Underdogs With Unlimited Ambitions, Says Garcia

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia has described his team as “underdogs” ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while insisting their ambitions remain “unlimited” as he unveiled his 26-man squad for the tournament. Speaking to RTBF following Friday’s squad announcement in Tubize, Garcia delivered a candid assessment of Belgium’s standing in world football, acknowledging that the era of the “golden generation” is over.

“We cannot lie to the 11 million Belgians who follow us,” Garcia said. “The time of 2016, 2018, 2022 when we were first in the FIFA rankings no longer exists. That group no longer exists. We are a team of underdogs. We will do everything to defy the predictions that don’t see us reaching the final four or the quarter-finals.”

A New Era for Belgian Football

Belgium’s golden generation peaked at the 2018 World Cup, where they finished third after defeating Brazil in the quarter-finals before losing to eventual champions France. The team’s decline was confirmed at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, where they were eliminated in the group stage. Key figures from that era — including Eden Hazard, Toby Alderweireld, and Jan Vertonghen — have since retired from international duty.

Garcia, appointed in January 2025 after the dismissal of Domenico Tedesco, has overseen a significant squad overhaul. Since taking charge, the 61-year-old French manager has called up 40 different players and handed debuts to 12 newcomers. Belgium secured their World Cup place with a 7-0 win against Liechtenstein in November 2025.

The Lukaku Gamble

One of the most debated selections is Romelu Lukaku, Belgium’s all-time leading scorer with 89 goals from 124 caps. The 33-year-old Napoli striker has played just 69 minutes all season due to injury and has been described by Garcia himself as “out of shape.”

“Romelu has recovered, but he’s out of shape, and I’m not sure he’ll be able to start the matches,” Garcia told BBC Sport. “But he’s our best striker, Belgium’s all-time leading scorer. We have five weeks to get him back to full fitness so that little by little he can help the team.”

Lukaku is joined by fellow veterans Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, and Axel Witsel — all of whom may be making their final World Cup appearance. De Bruyne and Courtois, both now at Napoli and Real Madrid respectively, remain central to Garcia’s plans despite their own injury concerns this season.

Surprise Inclusions and Omissions

The squad features a notable surprise in Matias Fernandez-Pardo, the 21-year-old Lille forward who was selected after FIFA approved his change of international allegiance from Spain to Belgium. Fernandez-Pardo was preferred to Juventus forward Lois Openda, who has struggled for regular playing time this season.

Among the notable omissions are Ajax’s Mika Godts, who scored 17 goals in the Eredivisie this season, and Lyon winger Malick Fofana. Sporting CP defender Zeno Debast was included despite a training injury, protected by the tournament’s medical joker rule.

As The Athletic noted, Garcia’s selection reflects a balance between experience and youth, with 12 World Cup debutants in the squad alongside the veteran core.

Group G and the Road Ahead

Belgium have been drawn in Group G alongside Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand, with matches scheduled in Seattle, Los Angeles, and Vancouver. The first 48-team World Cup kicks off on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Garcia, who previously managed Lille, Roma, Marseille, Lyon, and Napoli, has sought to manage expectations while keeping his players ambitious. “We have the right to be as ambitious as possible, to dream of this trophy, but we also need to keep our feet on the ground,” he said.

An RTBF poll conducted after the squad announcement found that over 80% of voters were satisfied with Garcia’s selections, though half do not believe Belgium will reach the quarter-finals.

What to Watch For

Belgium’s World Cup campaign will be defined by whether Garcia can successfully blend the remnants of the golden generation with a new wave of talent. The fitness of Lukaku and De Bruyne will be critical, as will the performance of younger players like Jeremy Doku and Charles De Ketelaere, who are expected to carry much of the attacking burden.

As Garcia himself put it in a previous interview: “The position of underdog is perhaps more enviable than that of favorite.” Belgium will begin writing their next chapter when they face Egypt in Seattle on June 15.