Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne is a midfielder in Belgium's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. The Napoli midfielder brings 117 senior Belgium caps and 36 international goals into the squad, making this his fourth senior World Cup after Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.

Belgium face Egypt, Iran and New Zealand in Group G, with the opener against Egypt at Lumen Field on 15 June. The national team won UEFA Group J to qualify on 18 November 2025, with Lumen Field, SoFi Stadium and BC Place hosting Belgium's three group fixtures across Seattle, Inglewood and Vancouver — three cities and three venues across the opening fortnight.

Kevin De Bruyne is a complete midfielder known for ball progression, vision and chance creation. He is tied with Ferenc Puskás as the all-time leading European assist provider in international football, and his 36 international goals fit a midfielder who steps forward when the shape allows it.

Rudi Garcia's Belgium build through world-class wide talent. Belgium had the most opposition-box touches and take-ons of any side in UEFA qualifying and that was largely thanks to De Bruyne's passing range as the central creative outlet. In Belgium's national team, his role sits in central midfield.

Belgium sit in Tier 2 at £24m within the game's £200m card budget, a second-tier call rather than a premium top-band slot. The Group G draw against Egypt, Iran and New Zealand frames the early fixture window.

De Bruyne is the assist engine behind that £24m Belgium pick. Tied with Ferenc Puskás as the all-time leading European assist provider in international football, his passing range turns possession into chance creation in midfield, the kind of direct individual contribution that pays back the slot when he starts.