By Martin Graham
Belgium, once the top-ranked team in the world, continues to wrestle with the decline of a golden generation that promised so much but ultimately failed to deliver silverware. Their most recent setback – a 1-1 draw away to North Macedonia – added to growing concerns, with manager Rudi Garcia unable to secure a win in his opening World Cup qualifier. The draw marked just a single victory in their last eight games.
Kevin De Bruyne’s visible frustration on the pitch and early substitution hinted at deeper issues, while only he, Romelu Lukaku, and the injured Thibaut Courtois remain from a squad that once dominated the international scene. Despite the disappointment, a new generation is slowly emerging, offering Belgium fresh hope for the future.
Belgium’s football revival can be traced back to 2012, when they arrived in Cardiff to face Wales, having failed to qualify for five straight major tournaments. That evening saw early appearances from a young Courtois, De Bruyne, and Lukaku, alongside players like Eden Hazard, Jan Vertonghen, and Vincent Kompany. The investment in youth by the national federation began to bear fruit, and Belgium qualified for the 2014 World Cup, setting off a streak of appearances at major competitions.
By 2015, Belgium topped the FIFA rankings and remained there for four years under Roberto Martinez, outlasting football giants like Brazil and France. Despite consistent form and a squad full of stars playing at elite European clubs, Belgium never turned potential into prizes. Their high point came at the 2018 World Cup, where they knocked out Brazil before losing to eventual champions France in the semi-final.
In other campaigns, they fell short in the quarter-finals – twice in the Euros – and crashed out at the group stage of the 2022 World Cup. The fallout included the resignation of Martinez, reported squad tensions, and the exit of key veterans. Former midfielder Radja Nainggolan reflected on a lack of unity, describing a team too focused on individual brilliance.
Although key players aged and others retired, Belgium produced a strong qualification run for Euro 2024 under new coach Domenico Tedesco. The campaign featured a tactical shift and breakout performances from emerging names like Jeremy Doku. However, Belgium exited the tournament in the round of 16 following a narrow loss to France, and their group-stage performances – especially a frustrating draw with Ukraine – prompted fan unrest and criticism.
Tedesco’s departure in January opened the door for Rudi Garcia, whose arrival brought renewed energy. He led Belgium through a spirited comeback against Ukraine in the Nations League play-offs and welcomed back Courtois. Lukaku returned after a successful domestic season with Napoli, while De Bruyne, though nearing the end of his international career, remains influential.
Young talents such as Amadou Onana, Zeno Debast, and Doku now form the core of the new squad. Analysts believe that, like their predecessors, these players will require time and tournament experience before fully reaching their potential. Ajax defender Jorthy Mokio, former Chelsea full-back Diego Moreira, and others like Alexis Saelemaekers and Romeo Lavia are also being closely watched.
Despite skepticism about Garcia’s leadership and concerns over defensive stability, Belgium still hold promise. As Wales prepare for a crucial clash in Brussels, the legacy of the golden generation lingers – but a fresh chapter may already be underway.
