Belgium

Belgium enter 2026 at a fascinating crossroads. The golden generation that delivered a third-place finish at Russia 2018 and a world No. 1 ranking — Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku — may be playing their final World Cup, but their quality remains immense. Courtois is still among the world's best goalkeepers, De Bruyne's passing range and vision are unmatched, and Lukaku's physical presence and finishing instinct make him a perpetual danger. Under coach Rudi Garcia, the Red Devils have begun blending these veterans with exciting young talents: Jérémy Doku's electric dribbling has lit up the Premier League at Manchester City, while Amadou Onana provides a commanding midfield presence and Loïs Openda offers a dynamic alternative in attack. The squad's depth across European top leagues is exceptional — players from Real Madrid, Manchester City, Napoli and Inter Milan fill every position. Belgium's challenge is channelling the hunger of a golden generation in its twilight with the energy of a new wave, and a deep tournament run would be the perfect farewell to one of the most talented squads the nation has ever produced.