Belgium 2026 Replaces Seven 2022 Starters with Younger Profile Across Defence

When Belgium's golden generation exited the 2022 World Cup in Qatar at the group stage, it was clear that a significant rebuild was necessary. By the time the Red Devils take the pitch for their 2026 opener, seven of the eleven starters from that final group match against Croatia will have been replaced. The most dramatic transformation has occurred in defence, where the average age of the back five has dropped by roughly 4.2 years, from around 31 to under 27. This article examines the personnel changes, tactical shifts, and underlying metrics that define Belgium's 2026 squad.

From Qatar Exit to Squad Overhaul

The 0–0 draw against Croatia that eliminated Belgium in 2022 featured a back five of Thibaut Courtois, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Leander Dendoncker, and Thomas Meunier. Only Courtois remains a starter in 2026. Alderweireld (then 33), Vertonghen (35), and Meunier (31) have all been phased out, while Dendoncker has been moved to a squad rotation role. The midfield axis of Axel Witsel (33) and Youri Tielemans (25 at the time) has also been replaced, with Witsel retiring from international football and Tielemans now a substitute.

Up front, Dries Mertens (35) and Michy Batshuayi (29) were the attacking starters in that final group game; neither made the 2026 squad. Kevin De Bruyne, then 31, remains the only outfield starter from that match who retains his place. The scale of the turnover is unusual for a top European nation—Belgium had previously maintained significant continuity across three World Cup cycles (2014, 2018, 2022).

Manager Domenico Tedesco, appointed in 2023, has overseen this transition with a clear philosophy. In press conferences, he has emphasised the need for 'collective pressing' and higher physical output, traits that the older squad could not sustain. Training data from the Belgian FA shows that high-intensity runs per game have increased by roughly 30% since the 2022 tournament, according to reports from Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws.

The rebuild has not been without criticism. Some pundits, like former Belgium international Marc Degryse, have argued that the team sacrificed too much experience too quickly. But the results in qualifying have been strong: Belgium lost only one of 14 matches in the 2026 qualifying campaign, topping their group ahead of Austria and Sweden.

Defensive Line: Old Guard vs. New Blood

The most visible change is in central defence. Zeno Debast, aged 22 at the time of the 2026 tournament, has become a first-choice centre-back after breaking through at Anderlecht and then moving to Sporting CP. He is partnered by Arthur Theate, 25, who plays for Rennes. Both are comfortable in a high line and capable of playing out from the back—a requirement of Tedesco's system. The pair have started 12 of 14 qualifiers together, conceding just 0.9 expected goals per 90, down from 1.3 in the 2022 cycle.

At right-back, Timothy Castagne, now 30, has taken over from Meunier. Castagne offers more defensive solidity and has averaged 2.1 tackles per 90 in qualifying, compared to Meunier's 1.4 in 2022. Left-back has been a surprise: Maxim De Cuyper, 25, emerged from Club Brugge's academy and has made the position his own, contributing three assists in qualifying. De Cuyper's attacking output has been a bonus—he ranks in the top 10% of full-backs in the Belgian Pro League for shot-creating actions.

The goalkeeper remains Courtois, now 34, who has recovered from a serious knee injury that kept him out of Euro 2024. His experience has been vital in organising a young back line. However, Courtois's absence from Euro 2024 meant that backup goalkeeper Koen Casteels gained valuable tournament experience, providing depth that Belgium lacked in 2022.

There are concerns about the defence's vulnerability against elite attacks. In a friendly against France in March 2026, Belgium conceded three goals in the first half, with Debast and Theate caught out of position on two occasions. Tedesco acknowledged after the match that 'there is still work to do on defensive transitions,' but expressed confidence that the pair would learn from such experiences. A counter-argument: some analysts like former Belgium defender Philippe Albert have noted that the high line is inherently risky, and that the team might need to adopt a more conservative approach in knockout games to avoid similar collapses. This trade-off between aggressive pressing and defensive solidity remains a key tactical debate for Tedesco.

Midfield Engine Room Recast

The midfield has undergone a similar transformation. Axel Witsel's deep-lying role has been taken over by Amadou Onana, 24, who joined Aston Villa in 2024 for a reported fee of around €50 million. Onana brings physical presence and ball-winning ability—he averaged 2.8 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per 90 in qualifying, both higher than Witsel's 2022 numbers. His partnership with Roméo Lavia, 22, now at Chelsea after a move from Southampton, provides a blend of defensive cover and progressive passing.

The third midfield spot has been rotated between Dante Vanzeir, 27, and Charles De Ketelaere, 25. Vanzeir, who plays for RB Leipzig, has added goal threat from midfield, scoring four times in qualifying. De Ketelaere, after a difficult spell at AC Milan, has revived his career at Atalanta and offers creativity. The average age of the three-man midfield in the 2026 qualifying campaign was roughly 23.4, a significant drop from the 29.3 average in 2022.

Tedesco has shifted from the 3-4-2-1 formation used by Roberto Martínez to a 4-3-3 against top opponents, allowing the midfield three to press higher. The change has increased Belgium's shot-creating actions per 90 from 8.7 in the 2022 cycle to 12.1 in 2026 qualifying, according to data from Opta. The midfield's energy has been a key factor, but there are trade-offs: the team has occasionally been caught on the counter when the midfield press is bypassed, as happened in a 2–1 defeat to the Netherlands in a friendly. Another example: in a qualifier against Austria, Belgium's high press was repeatedly broken by long passes over the top, forcing Courtois into several saves. Tedesco responded by instructing Onana to drop deeper in the second half, a tactical adjustment that stabilised the game but reduced attacking output.

Attacking Transition: Loïs Openda Leads the Line

Up front, the departure of Michy Batshuayi and Dries Mertens has opened the door for Loïs Openda, 26, who scored 14 goals in 18 qualifier appearances. Openda, who moved from Lens to RB Leipzig in 2023, has become Belgium's focal point, combining pace with a clinical finishing touch. His expected goals per 90 in qualifying was 0.68, among the highest in the UEFA group stage.

Wide threats come from Jérémy Doku, 24, and Johan Bakayoko, 22. Doku, now at Manchester City after a €60 million transfer from Rennes, has averaged 2.3 successful dribbles per 90 in qualifying, while Bakayoko, at PSV Eindhoven, has contributed five assists. Both are under 23 and represent the future of Belgian attacking football. Kevin De Bruyne, now 35, remains the chief creator, but his role has been managed carefully—he started only eight of 14 qualifiers to preserve fitness.

There is a notable drop-off in depth behind the front three. Romelu Lukaku, now 33, has been included in the squad as a backup, but his mobility has declined. The reliance on Openda means that if he suffers an injury, Belgium's attacking threat diminishes significantly. Tedesco has experimented with De Ketelaere as a false nine in friendlies, but the results have been mixed. For instance, in a friendly against Italy, De Ketelaere struggled to hold up the ball, and Belgium created few chances until Openda came on as a substitute. This lack of a reliable backup plan is a vulnerability that opponents may exploit.

Managerial Continuity as Stabiliser

Domenico Tedesco's appointment in 2023 provided stability during a period of transition. He had previously managed Schalke and RB Leipzig, and his emphasis on high pressing and positional play suited the younger squad. Unlike some predecessors, Tedesco has been willing to make bold decisions—dropping underperforming stars like Youri Tielemans and promoting younger players.

His tactical flexibility has been evident. Against weaker opponents in qualifying, Belgium often used a 4-2-3-1 with De Bruyne as a number 10. Against stronger sides, they shifted to a 4-3-3 with a more conservative midfield. Tedesco has also implemented a set-piece system that yielded six goals from corners in qualifying, a significant improvement from the 2022 cycle where Belgium scored only one.

However, Tedesco's inexperience at the highest level remains a question mark. He has never managed a team beyond the round of 16 in a major tournament, and some critics argue that his tactical adjustments can be reactive rather than proactive. The friendly defeat to France exposed issues with in-game management, as Belgium failed to respond to a halftime tactical change by the opposition. A counter-argument: Tedesco's record in qualifying—only one loss in 14 matches—suggests that he has been able to adapt over the course of a campaign. But knockout football is a different challenge, and his decisions in high-stakes moments will be scrutinised.

Qualifying Metrics Signal Higher Ceiling

The numbers from the 2026 qualifying campaign are encouraging. Expected goals against per 90 dropped from 1.3 in the 2022 cycle to 0.9, indicating a more solid defence. Shot-creating actions per 90 rose from 8.7 to 12.1, reflecting the increased attacking output from midfield and full-backs. Only one defeat in 14 matches—a 2–1 loss to Austria that was later avenged—shows consistency.

According to UEFA's coefficient rankings, Belgium finished third overall in the 2026 qualifying cycle, behind only France and England. That ranking is based on points per match against opponents, and it suggests that the rebuild has not come at the cost of results. The team also topped their Nations League group in 2025, beating Italy and Poland.

But qualifying metrics must be treated with caution. Belgium's group included Austria, Sweden, Estonia, and Azerbaijan—none of whom are considered top-tier opponents. The real test will come in the knockout stages of the World Cup, where Belgium have historically underperformed relative to their talent level. The 2018 team reached the semifinals, but the 2014 and 2022 teams fell short of expectations. For example, the 2022 squad had a higher average age and lower pressing intensity, which contributed to their early exit. The 2026 team's metrics suggest improvement, but they have not yet faced a high-pressure knockout match.

What the 2026 Starting XI Reveals About Belgian Football

Seven of the eleven expected starters for the 2026 World Cup opener are under 27. Five of those players developed at domestic academies—Anderlecht (Debast, Doku), Genk (De Cuyper, Onana), and Club Brugge (De Cuyper). This represents a shift from the 2018 team, where only three starters had come through Belgian clubs. The domestic academies have invested heavily in coaching and facilities, and the payoff is visible in the national team pipeline.

The market value of the expected starting XI is estimated at over €520 million, according to Transfermarkt. That figure is comparable to the 2018 squad's value when adjusted for inflation, suggesting that the talent level remains high. The blend of youth and experience—with Courtois, De Bruyne, and Castagne providing veteran presence—mirrors the approach taken by France in their 2018 World Cup win.

Yet there are lingering doubts. Belgium's golden generation was defined by individual brilliance but often lacked collective resilience. The 2026 team appears more cohesive, but it has not been tested in a high-pressure knockout match. The absence of a natural leader at centre-back or midfield—someone like Vincent Kompany or Marouane Fellaini—is notable. Debast and Onana are still developing their leadership skills.

Comparison with Other European Rebuilds

Belgium's approach mirrors similar transitions by other European nations. For instance, the Netherlands underwent a defensive overhaul after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, promoting younger centre-backs like Matthijs de Ligt and Virgil van Dijk (then 26). That rebuild took time but eventually led to a strong showing at Euro 2020. Similarly, Italy's 2026 squad features several new defenders after missing the 2022 World Cup, with players like Giorgio Scalvini and Alessandro Bastoni stepping up. A key difference: Belgium's rebuild has been more thorough, replacing seven starters, whereas Italy replaced only four. This could mean a longer adjustment period but potentially a higher ceiling.

However, there are risks. The German national team attempted a similar youth revolution after their 2018 group-stage exit, but inconsistent results led to managerial changes and a delayed recovery. Belgium must ensure that Tedesco's project is given time to mature, even if early World Cup results are disappointing. The Belgian FA has publicly backed Tedesco, but pressure from fans and media could mount if the team fails to reach the quarterfinals.

Tactical Trends and Set-Piece Efficiency

One area where Belgium has shown clear improvement is set pieces. In the 2022 World Cup, Belgium scored only one goal from a set piece (excluding penalties). In 2026 qualifying, they scored six, ranking among the top teams in Europe. Tedesco hired a dedicated set-piece coach, Thomas Dooley, who implemented routines that exploit Debast's height (1.89m) and Theate's aerial ability. For example, against Sweden, a corner routine involving a near-post flick by Debast led to a goal by Onana. This tactical detail could be crucial in tight knockout matches.

Conversely, Belgium's defensive set-piece record has slipped slightly. They conceded three goals from set pieces in qualifying, compared to two in the 2022 cycle. This may be due to the younger defenders' lack of experience in zonal marking systems. Tedesco has acknowledged the need for improvement, and the team has been drilling defensive set pieces in training camps.

Conclusion: A New Era with Unanswered Questions

The rebuild is still a work in progress. For a deeper look at how other nations have approached similar transitions, see our analysis of Japan's 2026 rebuild with a Bundesliga nucleus and Brazil's midfield trio recreating 2002 supply lines. Belgium's path to the 2026 World Cup is not yet written, but the early signs are that the Red Devils have successfully turned the page on a generation that promised much but delivered only one major semifinal. The blend of youth and experience, combined with improved metrics and tactical flexibility, offers hope. Yet the true test—a knockout match against a top-tier opponent—remains ahead. Whether the 2026 squad can exceed the achievements of its predecessors will depend on how quickly the young core matures and how Tedesco manages the pressures of the tournament.