As one of the top-ranked teams in the world, Belgium are largely expected to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Having reached each of the last three tournaments, including a third-place finish in 2018, it would be a shock if the eighth-ranked team in the world did not reach the final of the 2026 edition in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Still, each team must go through the same qualifying process regardless of how highly-rated they are, and Belgium are no different.
The Sporting News brings you an overview of just how close the Red Devils are to reaching the coming edition of the 2026 World Cup.
MORE: An updated list of all the teams who have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Have Belgium qualified for the 2026 World Cup?
With one match to go in qualifying, Belgium are on the precipice of official passage to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but have not yet secured a spot.
Belgium had the chance to qualify on the road against Kazakhstan, but could not finish the job as they were held to a 1-1 draw despite being up a man for the final 13 minutes of the match.
One point will be enough in the final game against Liechtenstein as long as they maintain their goal differential advantage over North Macedonia and Wales, while a win would see them qualify outright.
Belgium World Cup qualifying results, fixtures
Belgium have one game left in Group J:
- Tuesday, November 18: Belgium vs. Liechtenstein
| Date | Match | Venue |
| Jun. 6, 2025 | North Macedonia 1-1 Belgium | Tose Proeski Arena (Skopje, North Macedonia) |
| Jun. 9, 2025 | Belgium 4-3 Wales | Stade Roi Baudouin (Brussels, Belgium) |
| Sep. 4, 2025 | Liechtenstein 0-6 Belgium | Rheinpark Stadion (Vaduz, Liechtenstein) |
| Sep. 7, 2025 | Belgium 6-0 Kazakhstan | Lotto Park (Anderlecht, Belgium) |
| Oct. 10, 2025 | Belgium 0-0 North Macedonia | Planet Group Arena (Gent, Belgium) |
| Oct. 13, 2025 | Wales 2-4 Belgium | Cardiff City Stadium (Cardiff, Wales) |
| Nov. 15, 2025 | Kazakhstan 1-1 Belgium | Astana Arena (Astana, Kazakhstan) |
| Nov. 18, 2025 | Beligum vs. Liechtenstein | Stade Maurice Dufrasne (Liege, Belgium) |
Belgium World Cup record
Belgium have a storied history at the FIFA World Cup. A founding member of the competition as participants in the inaugural 1930 World Cup, Belgium have participated in 14 of the 22 tournaments coming into the 2026 competition.
Their best finish is the third place result they secured in 2018, having reached the semifinals twice in their history.
Belgium record at the FIFA World Cup
| Year | Host nation | Stage reached |
| 1930 | Uruguay | Group stage |
| 1934 | Italy | Round of 16 |
| 1938 | France | Round of 16 |
| 1950 | Brazil | Did not enter |
| 1954 | Switzerland | Group stage |
| 1958 | Sweden | Did not qualify |
| 1962 | Chile | Did not qualify |
| 1966 | England | Did not qualify |
| 1970 | Mexico | Group stage |
| 1974 | West Germany | Did not qualify |
| 1978 | Argentina | Did not qualify |
| 1982 | Spain | Second group stage |
| 1986 | Mexico | Semifinals (4th place) |
| 1990 | USA | Round of 16 |
| 1998 | France | Group stage |
| 2002 | South Korea/Japan | Round of 16 |
| 2006 | Germany | Did not qualify |
| 2010 | South Africa | Did not qualify |
| 2014 | Brazil | Quarterfinals |
| 2018 | Russia | Semifinals (3rd place) |
| 2022 | Qatar | Group stage |
Belgium World Cup schedule
Should they qualify, Beligum’s schedule at the 2026 will not be known until the World Cup draw, when the six groups are decided and pathways to the final become clearer.
MORE: How the 2026 World Cup draw works
When is the World Cup draw?
The draw for the 2026 World Cup takes place in Washington, D.C. on Friday, December 5.
The ceremony is due to start at 12 p.m. local time (ET).
If Belgium qualify, they are likely to be a Pot 1 team as they are currently ranked No. 8 in the world by FIFA. There will be 12 teams in each pot, with Pot 1 being the three hosts (USA, Canada, and Mexico) plus the top nine highest-ranked teams of those who qualified.
