Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia announced his squad for the 2026 World Cup recently, opting for a mix experienced heads and young up-and-comers.
Whilst players from their golden generation such as Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois remain in the team, space has opened up for a new crop of players ready to lead the team forward.
Here are five young players to watch out for this summer.
Nathan Ngoy
22 year old Nathan Ngoy enjoyed a fine season at Lille, helping them to a third place finish in Ligue 1.
The defender, who can operate at centre back or right back, has featured 38 times in all competitions this season for Les Dogues, helping them keep 11 clean sheets.
A product of the Anderlecht and Standard Liege academies, Ngoy has quickly established himself as one of the best up-and-coming centre backs in the league, with his ball playing ability being a particular strength of his, completing 91% of his attempted passes.
PHOTO: Ngoy celebrating after scoring for Lille, Photo by Francois LO PRESTI / AFP via Getty Images
His fine form this season earned him his first international call up in November 2025, and could be a player to watch out for this tournament.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo
Also of Lille, 21 year old winger Matias Fernandez-Pardo has developed massively this season, finishing their joint top scorer in the league with eight goals.
The youngster was a part of the Lille youth system between 2014 and 2020 before joining Gent. After a four-year stay with De Buffalo’s, which saw him make his professional debut, he returned to Lille in a reported €10 million deal.
PHOTO: Fernandez Pardo celebrates after scoring, Photo by Loic VENANCE / AFP via Getty Images
Despite a positive season, Fernandez-Pardo might find game time hard to come by with Leandro Trossard and Jeremy Doku more likely to start ahead of him.
Zeno Debast
Another youngster who could have a break out tournament is Sporting Lisbon centre back Zeno Debast.
The 22 year old was a product of the Anderlecht academy before making a move to the Portuguese team in July 2024, helping them win the Liga Portugal in 2025.
PHOTO: Sporting Lisbon’s Belgian defender Zeno Debast, Photo by CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images
Despite an injury-hit campaign, Garcia has opted to call up Debast who is known for being comfortable on the ball and can also operate as a defensive midfielder.
With this being the first World Cup since 2014 that Belgium have competed without Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, there is set to be a fierce battle for the centre back spots, with Debast being one of the names that could take the position.
Diego Moreira
Versatile left-sided player Diego Moreira is another that has made Garcia’s team.
The 21 year old has impressed at Strasbourg this season, picking up four goals and six assists in 27 games in Ligue 1.
PHOTO: Diego Moreira celebrates after Strasbourg score, Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP via Getty Images
Moreira was a product of the Standard Liege academy before moving to Benfica in 2020. From there, he was picked up by Chelsea in 2023, before joining their sister club in 2024.
Despite it being unlikely that the youngster will be one of the first names in the team sheet for Belgium, his ability to play anywhere down the left could see him pick up some valuable minutes, especially with the potential to play extra games this year due to the expanded format.
Joaquin Seys
Left back Joaquin Seys has enjoyed a solid season at Club Brugge, featuring in 39 of their 40 league games.
The 21 year old left back is one of only three players included in the squad that play for a Belgian team.
PHOTO: Joaquin Seys of Club Brugge pictured during the Jupiler Pro League season, Photo by Isosport/MB Media/Getty Images
Seys is an athletic full back which has helped him contribute in attack this season, grabbing two goals and seven assists in all competitions, as well as boasting an impressive 0.8 key passes per game.
It’s unlikely Seys will be a starter this tournament, but his inclusion in a World Cup squad will be invaluable for his development.