Belgium's Red Devils Aim for Strong Start Against Egypt in World Cup
Belgium’s Red Devils roll into Seattle on Monday night carrying the weight of expectation and the swagger of a team that has forgotten how to lose.
Rudi Garcia’s side open their FIFA World Cup campaign against Egypt in Group G, and they do so on the back of a flawless qualifying run and a pair of ruthless warm-up wins that have sharpened both their confidence and their cutting edge.
They did not drop a single game in qualifying. They barely broke stride. That momentum has not cooled.
A 2-0 victory over Croatia underlined their control. A 5-0 demolition of Tunisia last week showcased their cruelty. Belgium arrive not just as contenders, but as one of the early benchmarks by which others will be judged.
Debast blow forces defensive rethink
It is not all smooth for Garcia. His one major concern sits right at the heart of his defence.
Zeno Debast, the young centre-back who has grown into a commanding presence, is sidelined with a leg injury. He has travelled with the squad, a reminder of his importance, but he is not expected to feature until later in the tournament.
His absence rips up the original plan. Garcia must improvise.
Brandon Mechele and Joel Ngoy are set to form a makeshift central pairing, a partnership forged more out of necessity than design. Both are capable, both are committed, but they step into a World Cup opener knowing they will be tested early and often.
Around them, though, the picture is far brighter. The rest of the Belgian squad is fit, fresh and seemingly in sync with their manager’s aggressive blueprint.
De Bruyne pulls the strings, attack under debate
Garcia is expected to send his team out in an attacking 4-2-3-1, a shape that hands the keys of the operation to Kevin De Bruyne.
When Belgium flow, it is usually De Bruyne who sets the tempo. He will operate at the tip of the midfield trio, drifting into pockets, dragging markers away, threading passes that split lines and nerves in equal measure.
Behind him, Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans offer balance. Onana brings height, bite and range; Tielemans adds rhythm and a cleaner passing lane into the final third. Together, they form the hinge between security and ambition.
Out wide, Jeremy Doku will be central to Belgium’s plan to prise Egypt open. His pace is not just quick; it is disruptive. He runs at defenders, forces mistakes, stretches back lines until gaps appear where there were none a moment earlier. On the opposite flank, Leandro Trossard’s intelligence and movement should complement that raw speed with subtlety and guile.
The real question lies at the top of the pitch.
Garcia must decide between the proven power of Romelu Lukaku and the more fluid, modern interpretation of the role offered by Charles De Ketelaere as a false nine. Lukaku brings experience, presence and goals; defenders know exactly what is coming and still often cannot stop it. De Ketelaere offers something different: rotation with the three behind him, dropping into midfield, creating overloads and lanes for runners.
For the opener, De Ketelaere is tipped to get the nod, a choice that leans into movement and interchange rather than a fixed reference point.
A likely Belgium XI reads: Courtois; Meunier, Mechele, Ngoy, Castagne; Onana, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; De Ketelaere.
Stage set in Seattle
Kick-off at Seattle Stadium is set for 8pm BST on Monday, 15 June, with UK viewers able to watch the game live on BBC One.
For Belgium, this is more than a first step. It is a statement opportunity. A chance to show that their form in qualifying and those ruthless friendly wins were not just dress rehearsals, but the early chapters of a campaign that expects to last deep into the tournament.
