Kevin De Bruyne
Hazard retired. Kompany coaches now. Vermaelen, Vertonghen — gone. Witsel came out of international retirement just to ride along. De Bruyne is the last torchbearer of Belgium's Golden Generation: the most-hyped, most-talented, most-disappointing group in the country's history. Third in 2018 was the ceiling. At 35, in his fourth World Cup, the captain gets one final chance to write the ending the generation deserved but never got.
Group Stage Schedule
The last sentinel of Belgium's Golden Generation. With Hazard, Kompany, and others gone, De Bruyne captains a transitional squad into Group G. He was Belgium's top scorer in qualifying with six goals. At 35, this is almost certainly his final World Cup — and Belgium's last chance to deliver on a decade of promise.
Records in Play
Belgium have never won a World Cup. Best finish: third in 2018. The Golden Generation gets one final swing at delivering the trophy a decade of talent kept just out of reach.
Hazard, Kompany, Vermaelen, Vertonghen — all gone. KDB captains a transitional Belgium into a tournament that almost certainly has no Belgian veterans next time.
Six goals in qualifying — Belgium's leading marksman as a midfielder, at 35. The talent hasn't gone anywhere; this is the last campaign with it.
Every Chapter
The most creative midfielder in the world for the last decade, De Bruyne is the last man standing from Belgium's vaunted Golden Generation. Hazard retired. Kompany became a manager. Lukaku is there but diminished. At 35, De Bruyne captains a younger squad into what will almost certainly be his final tournament. Belgium have never won a World Cup — and the window is closing.
Kevin's 2026 World Cup, Answered
Is 2026 Kevin De Bruyne's last World Cup?
Almost certainly. At 35 De Bruyne is the last torchbearer of Belgium's Golden Generation, and 2026 is widely expected to be his final World Cup.
How many World Cups has Kevin De Bruyne played in?
2026 is De Bruyne's fourth World Cup (2014, 2018, 2022, 2026). Belgium's best finish in that span was third place in 2018.
Has Belgium ever won the World Cup?
No. Belgium's best-ever finish is third place in 2018. De Bruyne captains a transitional squad in what may be the Golden Generation's last real chance.
Will Kevin De Bruyne play in the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Belgium have qualified — with De Bruyne their top scorer in qualifying, six goals from midfield — and at 35, now with Napoli, he captains them into what is likely his fourth and final World Cup. Belgium are in Group G with Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand.
What group is Belgium in at the 2026 World Cup?
Belgium are in Group G with Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand. De Bruyne was Belgium's top scorer in qualifying with six goals.