Kevin De Bruyne at FIFA World Cup 2026: Belgium's Last Dance
Belgium have been ranked in the FIFA world's top three for almost a decade. They have never won a World Cup. Kevin De Bruyne — 115+ caps, 36+ goals, six Premier League titles, one Champions League — has been at the centre of that golden generation for its entire lifespan. At 34, this is his fourth World Cup and, in all likelihood, his last. Belgium need him to perform when it matters most, and he is convinced he will.
Player Profile
Born June 28, 1991, in Drongen, De Bruyne came through Genk's academy before moving to Chelsea and then, transformatively, to Wolfsburg. His arrival at Manchester City in 2015 for 76 million euros redefined the Premier League's standard for a No. 8: creative, box-to-box, with an eye for defence-splitting passes and a thunderous shot from distance.
At City, he won six Premier League titles, one Champions League, two FA Cups, and four League Cups. He holds the second-highest number of assists in Premier League history. He has been named PFA Players' Player of the Year twice. Simply put: he is one of the greatest midfielders the game has ever produced.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Belgium |
| Date of Birth | June 28, 1991 (age 34, turns 35 during tournament) |
| Position | Central Midfielder / Attacking Midfielder |
| Club | Manchester City (England) |
| Belgium Caps / Goals | 115+ caps, 36+ goals |
| World Cup Number | 4th World Cup (2014, 2018, 2022, 2026) |
| WC Assists | 4 assists for Belgium (joint-most, level with Eden Hazard) |
| Man City Honours | 6x PL, 1x UCL, 2x FA Cup, 16 major trophies total |
The Injury and the Comeback
A hamstring injury caused De Bruyne to miss 30 games for club and country across the 2025-26 season. Yet he was included in Belgium's World Cup squad — manager Domenico Tedesco and team doctor confident in his return. De Bruyne himself has been unequivocal: "I'm convinced I will get back in shape and fully regain my form after the opening games."
Belgium have included Romelu Lukaku alongside De Bruyne despite injury concerns for both players. If both are fit, Belgium have a partnership that has created 67+ international goals together and could be the most dangerous in the tournament's knockout rounds.
Belgium's Group G at the 2026 World Cup
Belgium face Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand in Group G. On paper, this is the most achievable group for a team of Belgium's calibre, and Tedesco will be prioritising getting De Bruyne and Lukaku to full fitness by the knockout rounds. Belgium have never progressed beyond the semi-finals; this squad, with this experience, represents their best — and perhaps last — chance.
Frequently Asked Questions
De Bruyne missed 30 games in 2025-26 with a hamstring injury but completed his rehabilitation and is in Belgium's squad, stating his confidence in returning to full form during the tournament.
De Bruyne arrives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 115+ caps for Belgium, making him one of the country's most-capped outfield players ever.
Belgium's best result was third place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where they defeated England 2-0 in the third-place playoff. Their so-called "Golden Generation" has been unable to win the title despite consecutive top-10 FIFA rankings.