Belgium

Belgium arrive at the 2026 World Cup in a period of genuine transition. The celebrated Golden Generation that reached the semifinals in Russia 2018 and briefly topped the FIFA rankings has largely moved on, with icons like Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany, and Jan Vertonghen no longer part of the setup. In their place, coach Domenico Tedesco has been tasked with blending experienced holdovers with a new wave of talent, and the results have been mixed -- impressive in stretches of qualifying but vulnerable against top-tier opposition. Kevin De Bruyne remains the team's creative fulcrum and one of the best midfielders in the world, though questions persist about the supporting cast around him. Jérémy Doku provides explosive width and dribbling prowess, while Youri Tielemans has matured into a reliable midfield presence. The defense, once Belgium's bedrock, is now a genuine concern, with no clear successor to the Kompany-Vertonghen-Alderweireld axis. Leandro Trossard offers versatility and goal-scoring from multiple forward positions. For bracket purposes, Belgium are a strong bet to advance from Group G but face a much tougher test in the knockout rounds. Their ceiling depends heavily on De Bruyne's fitness and whether Tedesco can shore up a back line that has looked porous against pressing teams. A Round of 16 exit is plausible, but a quarterfinal run is within reach if the pieces click.