For many people, the holidays are just around the corner, but for the Red Devils, it’s time to get to work. In the coming days, they will kick off their qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup. This tournament will be hosted in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Read everything about the World Cup and the qualifiers in this article.
An Expanded World Cup: More Spots for Europe
One of the most important changes is the expansion of the number of participating teams. For the first time since 2014, the World Cup will not feature 32, but 48 countries. This expansion has direct consequences for European nations, as the number of allocated spots has increased from thirteen to sixteen. This theoretically makes qualifying for the World Cup a bit easier than before. The objective for the Red Devils is clear: to qualify for the World Cup finals for the 14th time.
The Qualification Format in Europe
As usual, UEFA is organizing a qualification round involving all European countries, except Russia. This round spans several months. There are twelve qualification groups, each consisting of four or five teams. The principle is relatively straightforward, although there is one important twist: the twelve group winners qualify directly for the World Cup. This is the most coveted route for every nation, including Belgium.
The teams that finish second in their group get a second chance through a play-off system. A total of sixteen teams participate in these play-offs: the twelve runners-up, along with four teams that performed best in the Nations League but didn’t finish in the top two of their World Cup qualifying group. These sixteen teams will face off in home-and-away matches. To qualify via this route, a team will need to eliminate two opponents. So, if the Red Devils fail to secure the top spot in Group J, they still have a lifeline via the play-offs.
The Red Devils’ Group
The World Cup qualification draw took place at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. Belgium was placed in Group J, along with Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, and Wales. On paper, this is considered a favorable draw for the Red Devils, especially after a difficult Nations League campaign earlier this autumn.
The Match Schedule and Start of the Campaign
Although the Red Devils play their first match on June 6, the group stage has already begun. In March, North Macedonia and Wales each secured 4 out of 6 points. Belgium, meanwhile, was involved in the UEFA Nations League play-offs.
The Belgians finished third in their Nations League group earlier, behind France and Italy. This meant they had to secure their spot in Division A with a two-legged play-off against Ukraine in March. That explains why the other teams in Group J started their World Cup qualification earlier. After this double-header against Ukraine, Belgium’s full focus now shifts to World Cup qualifying.
The Red Devils will begin their campaign in June, by which time the other teams in the group will already have played two matches. Belgium will make up for this in June with matches against North Macedonia and Wales. Groups with four teams will continue play in September. The group stage is expected to be completed by November 2025.
Belgium’s full match schedule is as follows:
- 6/6: North Macedonia
- 9/6: Wales
- 4/9: Liechtenstein
- 7/9: Kazakhstan
- 10/10: North Macedonia
- 13/10: Wales
- 15/11: Kazakhstan
- 18/11: Liechtenstein
The Opponents
Wales: This team comes from Pot 2. The Welshmen surprisingly knocked out Belgium in the quarterfinals of Euro 2016. Since then, the Belgians have played Wales four more times, including in World Cup 2022 qualifiers and the Nations League. Belgium won their home matches and drew each time in Cardiff. Without the retired Gareth Bale, the current Welsh squad looks less strong than in recent years, with Brennan Johnson now the star player.
North Macedonia: The Macedonians last faced Belgium in the qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup. Under then-coach Marc Wilmots, Belgium won both home and away matches. Elif Elmas (RB Leipzig) is the most well-known name in the current squad.
Kazakhstan: The Red Devils last played Kazakhstan during the qualifiers for Euro 2020. Belgium won both matches.
Liechtenstein: This will be a first! There has never been an international match between Belgium and Liechtenstein.
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