Red Devils Return Home to Water Salute After World Cup Run
The Belgian Red Devils touched down at Brussels Airport in Zaventem on Sunday morning, greeted by a traditional water salute from the fire brigade as they returned home following their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in the United States. The team landed in the late morning after an overnight flight from Los Angeles, bringing an end to a tournament that saw them reach the quarterfinals before falling to Spain.
A Warm Welcome Home
Despite the disappointment of their quarterfinal exit, the squad was honored with a ceremonial water salute — an arch of water sprayed by fire trucks — as their Brussels Airlines flight taxied onto the tarmac. According to VRT NWS, the gesture is traditionally reserved for special occasions and reflected the nation’s continued pride in their team.
“De Rode Duivels zijn terug thuis. Na een vlotte vlucht vanuit Los Angeles zijn de Belgen rond 10.20 uur geland in Zaventem. Daar heeft de brandweer de nationale selectie een ‘water salute’ gegeven,” reported Sporza, VRT’s sports division. After landing, the players traveled together to the Belgian Football Association’s training base in Tubeke (Tubize) before dispersing to their individual destinations.
A Campaign of Highs and Heartbreak
Belgium’s World Cup journey, dubbed the “American Dream” by local media, came to an end on Friday, July 10, when they lost 2-1 to Spain at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. As Al Jazeera reported, Spain took the lead through Fabián Ruiz in the 30th minute before Charles De Ketelaere equalized for Belgium in the 41st minute. The decisive moment came in the 88th minute when Spain substitute Mikel Merino scored after a goalkeeping error by Belgian replacement keeper Senne Lammens, who had come on for an injured Thibaut Courtois in the 71st minute.
Earlier in the tournament, Belgium delivered one of their most impressive performances in the Round of 16, defeating co-hosts the United States 4-1 in Seattle. That victory was notable not only for the scoreline but also for controversy surrounding US striker Folarin Balogun’s eligibility, which prompted a strong statement from the Belgian Football Association (KBVB) calling for FIFA to review its regulations.
The End of an Era
The 2026 World Cup is widely seen as the final chapter for Belgium’s celebrated “Golden Generation.” As BBC Sport noted, this is likely to be the last World Cup for several key players, including goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, captain Kevin De Bruyne, and record scorer Romelu Lukaku.
However, speaking to FIFA.com, veteran midfielder Axel Witsel expressed optimism about the team’s future: “We may have started off a little timidly, but the further we went in the tournament, the higher our level of play became. I think that’s what we should take away from this World Cup. I’m not worried about us. We have a bright future ahead of us.”
Courtois echoed that sentiment, highlighting the emerging talent: “There is young talent coming up. The guys that are younger now, they will get stronger in the next years. I’m hoping that for the Euros or the next World Cup we’ll get stronger.”
A New Generation Rising
Young stars like Charles De Ketelaere, who scored three goals at the tournament including the equalizer against Spain, along with Jérémy Doku, Nicolas Raskin, and Maxim De Cuyper, represent the future of Belgian football. De Ketelaere’s performances — particularly his two goals against the USA in the Round of 16 — marked him as a player capable of leading the next generation.
What Lies Ahead
With the World Cup now behind them, attention turns to the future of head coach Rudi Garcia and the composition of the squad for upcoming Nations League and European Championship qualification campaigns. The KBVB’s push for FIFA regulatory reform following the Balogun and Zeno Debast controversies — where Sporting Lisbon refused to allow the defender to play in the quarterfinal — also remains an ongoing issue.
For now, the Red Devils are home, greeted with the respect and admiration of a nation that remains proud of its team, even as one era gives way to the next.