Belgium 2026 World Cup Team Preview, Betting Odds, Predictions & Best Bets
In World Cup play, Belgium of late has been both consistently talented and consistently unpredictable. In 2018, the Red Devils got all the way to the final four, bowing out to eventual champions France after beating England to win their group and then dispatching Japan and Brazil along the way – and then beating England again in the third-place match.
In 2022, however, they couldn’t emerge from the group stages, though in retrospect, they were in a loaded group with Morocco, Croatia, and Canada.
What will they be in 2026? Playing according to their talent level, punching a bit above their weight, or disappointing for a second straight cycle?
Belgium 2026 World Cup Betting Odds
- To Win World Cup:
- To Reach Final:
- To Reach Semifinal:
- To Reach Quarterfinal:
- To Win Group G:
- To Advance From Group:
- Group: Group G
- FIFA Rank: 9
Going into this World Cup, Belgium can point to one piece of evidence it’ll play well in the United States — a 5-2 thrashing of the Yanks in a March friendly where they actually went down 1-0 before showing off a bit of their depth.
And they’ve certainly got depth. While veterans like 34-year-old Kevin de Bruyne (who will turn 35 during the knockout stages), 33-year-old Romelu Lukaku, and 34-year-old goalkeeper Thibault Courtois still figure into Belgium’s plans, they’re also developing new core squad players like Jeremy Doku and Zeno Debast who are just at the start of their careers.
Given their draw of Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand, staying to the West Coast (with matches in L.A., Seattle, and Vancouver), they should have no problem getting through the group stages in 2022 — it’s just what happens beyond that that’s in question.
Belgium 2026 World Cup Best Bet
Given Belgium’s history, it’s hard to predict where they’ll finish in any given World Cup, but this one looks easier to call than in past cycles. Ranked 9th in the world currently, but with enough talent to knock off one of the team’s above them, a quarterfinal exit looks doable, as getting beyond that stage would require considerable luck to oust one of the true world elites. (If you’re less bullish on Belgium’s chances or a little less risk-averse, you might also consider a Round of 16 exit, which is also plausible.
Best Bet: Stage of Elimination, Quarterfinals (+400)
Belgium 2026 World Cup Players to Watch
Romelu Lukaku: The Napoli striker is reportedly shutting down his Serie A season to heal up his hamstring for what he’s hoping is a deep World Cup run. If he’s unable to go, it’s a considerable loss — because while they can find goals other places, they don’t have a No. 9 with quite his presence in the box.
Jeremy Doku: Emerging as a consistent starter for Manchester City over the past three seasons, Doku’s just 23 but is now in his eighth seasons of first-division football, having started with Anderlecht as a 16-year-old. He brings speed and poise on the wing, and he’s a threat to score in every match he plays. =
Kevin de Bruyne: The talisman of a golden generation of Red Devils, de Bruyne may be playing in his final World Cup, with one last chance at an elusive World Cup. Though his goal contributions with Napoli have dropped off compared to previous seasons, he’s still a leader and tone-setter, and he’ll be an inked-in starter.
Belgium World Cup History
Belgium’s been to the World Cup 14 times, starting with the inaugural trip to Uruguay in 1930, where the team finished 11th in the 13-team pack. Save for a bare patch in 2006 and 2010 in which it was unable to qualify, Belgium’s sent a team to the World Cup every season since 1982, more often than not advancing into the knockout rounds, and in 1986, got to (and lost) the third-place match.
Photo Credit: AP/Hassan Ammar
