First Touch ’26 - Belgium

Belgium’s golden generation has come and gone, but the Red Devils still go as Kevin De Bruyne goes. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass looks at how a reshaped Belgium is trying to move past the dysfunction and disappointment of 2022 and write a new story in North America. We track the rise from early Olympic success to the first golden age of the 1980s, then the star-studded 2014–2018 era that peaked with a third-place finish in Russia and four straight years as the No. 1 team in the world—before it all fell apart in Qatar. From Roberto Martínez’s messy exit and a fractured locker room to an unbeaten 2026 qualifying run under new manager Rudi Garcia, we break down how a leaner, less starry squad is being rebuilt around organization, transitions, and the still-brilliant De Bruyne. We spotlight winger Malick Fofana as the next big attacking threat, revisit Belgium’s comic-book culture from Tintin to the Smurfs, and ask whether a team freed from “golden generation” expectations might finally play its best football on the biggest stage.