Belgium Opens World Cup Against Egypt in Seattle as No. 9 Red Devils Lean on New Core
Updated
Updated · Sounder At Heart · Jun 14
Belgium Opens World Cup Against Egypt in Seattle as No. 9 Red Devils Lean on New Core
3 articles · Updated · Sounder At Heart · Jun 14
Summary
Monday’s opener against Egypt in Seattle starts Belgium’s World Cup campaign, with the Red Devils based in the region and likely to stay there deep into the tournament.
No. 9 Belgium enters as one of 12 seeded teams after going more than a year unbeaten, but this run comes with a squad still transitioning from the generation that finished third in 2018.
Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois remain central, while Jeremy Doku leads a newer attacking group that has helped keep Belgium competitive despite a thinner defense.
Group G also includes New Zealand, whom Belgium will face in Vancouver on June 26, and topping the group could bring both the Round of 32 and Round of 16 back to Seattle.
For a country of fewer than 12 million, the tournament is shaping up as both a last act for key veterans and a test of whether Belgium’s next wave can finally deliver a deep run.