Belgium is preparing for their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance with a squad that balances iconic veterans and highly promising young talents. Captain Youri Tielemans and winger Jeremy Doku shared their thoughts on the upcoming global event in a FIFA interview.
The age gap between 28-year-old Tielemans and 23-year-old Doku reflects more than just years โ it represents the transition Belgium is undergoing. The team remains influenced by the legendary golden generation but is already looking toward a new cycle.
At the 2018 Russia World Cup, Belgium reached the semi-finals driven by their peak generation before falling 1-0 to eventual champions France. Tielemans recalled warming up for much of the second half, remembering the intensity and pressure inside the stadium. No one wanted to make a mistake, and he felt they didn't make any critical errors. Four years later in Qatar, Belgium's campaign was entirely different. Despite being considered strong contenders, they were eliminated in the group stage, failing to meet expectations. Tielemans admitted the team was not ready at that time. That disappointment marked the end of a cycle and accelerated the emergence of a new generation, ready to prove themselves on North American soil.
