Belgium announce final World Cup squad and it's the end of the 'Golden Generation'

Belgium have officially confirmed their 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup, and it's spelt the end of the country's Golden Generation.

The 2026 World Cup is almost upon us with the opening match between hosts Mexico and South Africa now less than four weeks away.

Ahead of the tournament officially kicking off on June 11, all of the 48 teams competing in the World Cup will have to announce their final squad list that will arrive in North America, with each team bringing up to 26 players.

France were among the first major nations to confirm their squad, as Didier Deschamps made the surprise call to leave Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga at home, while the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Desire Doue and Rayan Cherki were among the stars to feature.

Now, Belgium have released their official squad list, and it's safe to say that gone are the days that the European nation could be considered to be top contenders for the biggest trophy in football.

It comes as no surprise that Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is the first name on Belgium's squad list and will likely start in nets despite Manchester United's Senne Lammens impressing in his first season at Old Trafford.

Premier League defenders Timothy Castagne and Maxim De Cuyper will make up eitther side of Belgium manager Rudi Garcia's backline with Zeno Debast and Arthur Theate expected to start at centre back.

In midfield, Premier League legend Kevin de Bruyne is joined by Aston Villa star Youri Tielemans following his impressive season for Unai Emery's side, with Everton's Amadou Onana and Belgium veteran Axel Witsel included.

Sevral others stars feature in the frontline as Manchester City's Jeremy Doku, Arsenal rival Leandro Trossard and Romelu Lukaku, who is set to appear in his seventh major international tournament all feature.

Although Belgium still boasts some formidable players, many of the stars of Golden Generation of the 2010s are either past their prime or no longer in the squad.

The squad of players was made up of the likes of Courtois, Vincent Kompany, Witsel, De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Lukaku and reached no.1 in the FIFA World Rankings and held it for four years (2018-2022) but famously never won a major trophy.

However, Garcia will hope that his side can surprise everyone and put together a good run that could see them finally make it all the way at the World Cup.

Belgium begin their World Cup campaign with a match against Egypt on June 15 before facing Iran and New Zealand.

Belgium World Cup 2026 squad list in full

Goalkeepers

• Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
• Mike Penders (Strasbourg, on loan from Chelsea)
• Senne Lammens (Manchester United)

Defenders

• Timothy Castagne (Fulham)
• Zeno Debast (Sporting CP)
• Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton)
• Koni De Winter (AC Milan)
• Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge)
• Thomas Meunier (Lille)
• Nathan Ngoy (Lille)
• Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge)
• Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Midfielders

• Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli)
• Amadou Onana (Everton)
• Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa)
• Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge)
• Nicolas Raskin (Rangers)
• Axel Witsel (Girona)

Attackers

• Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta)
• Jeremy Doku (Manchester City)
• Matias Fernandez-Pardo
• Romelu Lukaku (Napoli)
• Dodi Lukebakio (Lille)
• Diego Moreira (Strausbourg)
• Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan)
• Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)

Thoughts on the squad list? Let us know in the comments.