Belgium beats Liechtenstein to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Belgium defeated Liechtenstein 7-0 on Tuesday to confirm their participation in next year’s World Cup and ended their campaign unbeaten.

A fifth win in eight matches gave Belgium a total of 18 points at the top of Group J, two more than runners-up Wales, and earned them a place at next year’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the US.

Jeremy Doku and Charles De Ketelaere both scored twice and there were goals for Hans Vanaken, Brandon Mechele and Alexis Saelemaekers, with the home side scoring four times in a furious seven-minute spell in the second half.

Belgium will participate in its 15th World Cup final, having reached the semi-finals twice.

Belgium got off to the fast start that coach Rudi Garcia had asked for when Vanaken headed home after 150 seconds at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne after a cross from captain Youri Tielemans.

“We wanted to get the audience behind us quickly,” says Vanaken.

But it took another 32 minutes before Belgium could add a second when Saelemaekers dragged the ball back from the byline to an unmarked Doku on the penalty spot to finish.

Doku gave Belgium a 3-0 lead in the 41st minute when a foul ball found him just outside the penalty area, and he then dribbled his way past three defenders before finishing with aplomb.

Tielemans’ quick strike in the 52nd minute allowed Mechele to stick his foot out and guide it into the net for a fourth time. Three minutes later, Tielemans’ shot was saved by Liechtenstein goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel, after which Saelemaekers scored the rebound.

De Ketelaere then scored a quick double in the 57th and 59th minutes, the first set up by Doku and the second by fullback Thomas Meunier.

“It was a beautiful evening and just great fun to play here,” said De Ketelaere. «You felt that from the start. The national anthem that sounded here was the best I have ever experienced.»

Belgium were criticized after failing to qualify in Kazakhstan on Saturday, which held a 1-1 draw, but Tuesday’s result put an end to that disappointment.

Liechtenstein ended the campaign without scoring – the only team in the European qualifiers to do so.

Published on November 19, 2025