‘Not up to the task’: De Bruyne’s Belgium on the brink — and England are watching closely

Belgium are staring at a humiliating World Cup 2026 exit, with the Red Devils still without a win after two group games in North America. Captain and playmaker Kevin De Bruyne pulled no punches: ‘We’ve not been up to the task.’ It’s a damning admission that won’t go unnoticed in the England camp, where Thomas Tuchel’s side are tracking the collapse of a long-standing rival.

The ‘silly mistakes’ dragging Belgium down

Rudi Garcia’s Belgium have failed to win either of their opening two fixtures, a return unworthy of a side billed among the heavy hitters. De Bruyne blamed ‘silly mistakes’ that cost crucial points and left the team facing the very real threat of an early exit.

It’s a bitter blow for a golden generation that never fulfilled its vast potential. With just one game left to rescue their campaign, Belgium must beat New Zealand and rely on other results to have any hope of reaching the knockout rounds.

What Belgium’s collapse means for England

For Thomas Tuchel’s England, watching a major European rival wobble in the group stage reshapes the bracket. A Belgium exit means one fewer contender on England’s road to the title and a potentially clearer path through the knockouts.

England, led by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, are pressing on with their own qualification. But Belgium’s downfall is a warning: in a 48-team World Cup, any complacency is punished, and no favourite is safe from an early departure.

FAQ