For several of the ‘Golden Generation’, Belgium’s quarter-final exit to Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ represents their final chance of winning a major tournament. But after the disappointments of Qatar 2022 and UEFA EURO 2024, reaching the quarter-finals in North America was far from a given for the Red Devils.
Even in the group stage, Rudi Garcia’s men had to accept two draws until a roundabout victory against New Zealand confirmed their progression through to the knockout stages. In the Round of 32, they left it until late to equalise and force extra time against Senegal, where Youri Tielemans sealed victory, before seeing off co-hosts USA with a resounding 4-1 victory in the Round of 16.
Now, the World Cup journey has ended in the quarter-final but the squad are full optimism for the coming years as a young core look to take the Red Devils forward to UEFA EURO 2028 and beyond.
“We may have started off a little timidly, but the further we went in the tournament, the higher our level of play became,” Axel Witsel, one of the players of that Golden Generation, analysed. “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.”
“I know a lot of people, a lot of times we get criticism like the Golden Generation never won anything,” goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois added. “But we are Belgium, we are not England, we are not Spain, we are not France. We are a small country of not even 12 million people that on big tournaments are showing amazing things.
“Look at all big names in football. Not everyone has won a big tournament and we always tried it. I think we can be proud and I’m sure that Belgium, given the occasion, will be there to win it all. We have great youth academies that are working well, teams that are happy with their talent on the field, being champions. I hope that we can take the next step in the future, to the final.”
While Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and, of course Courtois are among those that have long been the focus of the Red Devils, young stars have made important contributions to their run to the quarter-final.
Charles De Ketelaere is one of those with a steadily rising profile and scoring three goals at this World Cup – two of them in the Round of 16 against co-hosts USA and then the equaliser in a 2-1 defeat to Spain.
“There is young talent coming up. The guys that are younger now, they will get stronger in the next years,” Courtois said. “I’m hoping that for the Euros or the next World Cup we’ll get stronger. I think we have the spirit and I’m sure that nice things can come.”
Alongside De Ketelaere, players like Jeremy Doku, Nicolas Raskin, Maxim De Cuyper and Arthur Theate have also become steady presences in Belgium’s line-up, and 24-year-old goalkeeper Senne Lammens received his third international cap and first minutes on the big stage after Courtois was subbed off due to injury.
“If we can keep building on our performance, then there is certainly still music for the future,” defender Brandon Mechele added. “We can keep growing. We have a lot of young players. And if they keep playing for their clubs, they get more experience, which is better for this team.”
