FIFA World Cup 2026: Belgium takes nothing for granted in Senegal’s last 32

Belgium go into the World Cup round of 32 against Senegal on Wednesday with momentum and a fully fit squad, but coach Rudy Garcia said being favorites is no guarantee in knockout matches.

Belgium struggled in the opening draws against Egypt and Iran before bursting into life with a 5-1 win over New Zealand to go through as winners of Group G and keep them in Seattle, its home ground during the tournament, for Wednesday’s match.

Belgium has everyone available for the first time at this World Cup, Garcia said. Winger Jeremy Doku missed time due to the birth of his son and a short illness, while defender Zeno Debast is fit to play after missing the group stage with a leg problem.

Debast, who was injured in training with his Portuguese club Sporting last month, may not start against Senegal, and «he will need some time to reach 100% of his capabilities and potential again,» Garcia told reporters on Tuesday.

«But it won’t be a problem because we have shown very strong defense since the start of the competition.»

Belgium conceded two goals in the group stage: one against Egypt and one against New Zealand.

With a healthy roster, Garcia has plenty of options off the bench. “It’s not just about the starting XI,” he said.

Striker Romelu Lukaku helped Egypt score an own goal seconds after coming on in the second half of Belgium’s 1-1 draw in Seattle to open the group stage matches.

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Match conditions on Wednesday are expected to be cool and cloudy – and better than the high temperatures during Belgium’s opening match against Egypt, when Garcia complained that the heat and dry grass made it difficult for his team to play fluidly.

FAVORITES TAG MEANS LITTLE

Germany’s shootout exit to Paraguay and the Netherlands’ defeat to Morocco show that being favorites to win means little at this stage of the tournament.

“There are no small squads,” Garcia said. “Even if you are a favorite on paper, as was the case for Germany, you can lose.”

Senegal, which emerged from a tough group that included France, Norway and Iraq, presents a different challenge, he said.

Garcia described Senegal as “very fast”, “very strong”, technically and defensively well organized.

Senegal qualified for the knockout phase as the third-placed team, but is much stronger than its finish in the group stage suggested, according to the Belgian coach.

The match also has a personal thread for Garcia, who worked with Senegalese coach Pape Thiaw at Saint-Etienne and remembers helping him as a young player.

Thiaw is “a great player and also a great coach,” Garcia said. «I’m very happy for him. But I’m going to beat him,»

Published on July 1, 2026