{
    "title": "2026 World Cup: Belgium kick off with clash against Mo Salah\u2019s Egypt",
    "modified_at": "2026-06-16 12:53:46",
    "published_at": "2026-06-15 15:44:00",
    "url": "https://belganewsagency-eu.prezly.com/2026-world-cup-belgium-kicks-off-with-clash-against-mo-salahs-egypt",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/tNId",
    "culture": "en_BE",
    "language": "EN",
    "slug": "2026-world-cup-belgium-kicks-off-with-clash-against-mo-salahs-egypt",
    "body": "<p><strong>Following a successful pre-tournament build-up, Belgium face their World Cup opener on Monday evening at 21:00 Belgian time. They take on Egypt, their main rivals in the battle to top the group, at the Lumen Field in Seattle.</strong></p><p>On paper, Egypt are Belgium&rsquo;s toughest opponent in their group. Iran and New Zealand are considered weaker. The last time the two nations faced each other, in a friendly four years ago, Belgium lost 2-1. Of their four previous international matches, the Belgians have won just one.</p><p>So the Red Devils will be wary of the seven-time Africa Cup of Nations winners. The country \u200b emerged from the African World Cup qualifiers unbeaten, with 26 points from 30. With Mo Salah and Omar Marmoush, there are two big names in manager Hossam Hassan&rsquo;s squad.</p><p>However, following a successful pre-tournament campaign featuring two impressive victories against Croatia and Tunisia, Belgium appear fully prepared for this opening World Cup match. The Red Devils will rely primarily on their attacking strength.</p><div id=\"bookmark-65a80630-e9cc-4dfa-9b65-3508d897c9c8\"\n     class=\"release-content-bookmark release-content-bookmark--horizontal\">\n\n            <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__thumbnail\"\n           href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/red-devils-boost-world-cup-confidence-with-2-0-friendly-win-over-croatia\"\n           rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n           target=\"_blank\"           style=\"background-image: url(https://prezly.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.uc.assets.prezly.com%2F35d45995-dfb5-4352-9171-cb41a39bc21e%2F-%2Fpreview%2F600x600%2F?ar=1%3A1&amp;fit=crop&amp;s=b7940cea6c1bbc7753fd17ec6d738b5a)\"\n        ></a>\n    \n    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__details\">\n\n                    <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__title\"\n               href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/red-devils-boost-world-cup-confidence-with-2-0-friendly-win-over-croatia\"\n               rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n               target=\"_blank\"               data-type=\"bookmark\"\n               data-track=\"Story WebBookmark Click\"\n               data-placement=\"content\"\n               data-id=\"65a80630-e9cc-4dfa-9b65-3508d897c9c8\"\n           >\n                Red Devils boost World Cup confidence with 2-0 friendly win over Croatia            </a>\n        \n                    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__description\">\n                Belgium&#039;s Red Devils beat Croatia 2-0 in a friendly in Rijeka on Tuesday evening. The victory gives the team a confidence boost ahead of the 2026...            </div>\n        \n        <a href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/\"\n           target=\"_blank\"\n           rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"\n           class=\"release-content-bookmark__provider\"\n        >\n            <img class=\"release-content-bookmark__provider-icon\" src=\"https://avatars.prezly.com/favicon?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.belganewsagency.eu%2Fred-devils-boost-world-cup-confidence-with-2-0-friendly-win-over-croatia&newsroom=6b71e247-a9ba-4732-aaa3-88be14c119db\" aria-hidden=\"true\" />\n            belganewsagency.eu        </a>\n    </div>\n</div>\n<p>Amadou Onana, captain Youri Tielemans and playmaker Kevin De Bruyne are certain to start in midfield. On the flanks are Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard, with Charles De Ketelaere up front. Romelu Lukaku is not yet ready to start the match and will begin on the bench.</p><p>Defensively, the Red Devils are in a less comfortable position. It is expected that manager Rudi Garcia will opt for a back four. At left-back, Timothy Castagne seems to be the preferred choice, while Thomas Meunier is a certainty on the right. </p><p>Nathan Ngoy is a new addition to the national squad and has made an excellent impression in recent weeks. The big question is who will partner the Lille player at centre-back. Arthur Theate and Brandon Mechele are the two main contenders. Between the posts, the Red Devils can count on goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><sup>Kevin De Bruyne during a training session &copy; BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM</sup></p><hr /><p><strong>Related news</strong></p><div id=\"bookmark-b76025d0-8a0d-4f18-bbb8-9267f0e527e3\"\n     class=\"release-content-bookmark release-content-bookmark--horizontal\">\n\n            <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__thumbnail\"\n           href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/red-devils-world-cup-squad-fernandez-pardo-included-openda-left-out\"\n           rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n           target=\"_blank\"           style=\"background-image: url(https://prezly.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.uc.assets.prezly.com%2Ff2d88744-9d50-4f26-a835-e06fc44a4c35%2F-%2Fpreview%2F600x600%2F?ar=1%3A1&amp;fit=crop&amp;s=f40d5f941ea56b4c457947349f04d02d)\"\n        ></a>\n    \n    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__details\">\n\n                    <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__title\"\n               href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/red-devils-world-cup-squad-fernandez-pardo-included-openda-left-out\"\n               rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n               target=\"_blank\"               data-type=\"bookmark\"\n               data-track=\"Story WebBookmark Click\"\n               data-placement=\"content\"\n               data-id=\"b76025d0-8a0d-4f18-bbb8-9267f0e527e3\"\n           >\n                Red Devils World Cup squad: Fernandez-Pardo included, Openda left out            </a>\n        \n                    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__description\">\n                Belgium\u2019s national team manager Rudi Garcia has announced his 26-man squad for next month\u2019s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He...            </div>\n        \n        <a href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/\"\n           target=\"_blank\"\n           rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"\n           class=\"release-content-bookmark__provider\"\n        >\n            <img class=\"release-content-bookmark__provider-icon\" src=\"https://avatars.prezly.com/favicon?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.belganewsagency.eu%2Fred-devils-world-cup-squad-fernandez-pardo-included-openda-left-out&newsroom=6b71e247-a9ba-4732-aaa3-88be14c119db\" aria-hidden=\"true\" />\n            belganewsagency.eu        </a>\n    </div>\n</div>\n<div id=\"bookmark-5aa5444d-06e6-469f-a9c7-1b53e9d8e0a4\"\n     class=\"release-content-bookmark release-content-bookmark--horizontal\">\n\n            <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__thumbnail\"\n           href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/2026-world-cup-belgium-in-group-with-iran-egypt-and-new-zealand\"\n           rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n           target=\"_blank\"           style=\"background-image: url(https://prezly.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.uc.assets.prezly.com%2F73d7f1ca-2e46-4301-924c-35db01c73526%2F-%2Fpreview%2F600x600%2F?ar=1%3A1&amp;fit=crop&amp;s=ff979456d7f213dd666c6e19928e8fe3)\"\n        ></a>\n    \n    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__details\">\n\n                    <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__title\"\n               href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/2026-world-cup-belgium-in-group-with-iran-egypt-and-new-zealand\"\n               rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n               target=\"_blank\"               data-type=\"bookmark\"\n               data-track=\"Story WebBookmark Click\"\n               data-placement=\"content\"\n               data-id=\"5aa5444d-06e6-469f-a9c7-1b53e9d8e0a4\"\n           >\n                2026 World Cup: Belgium in group with Iran, Egypt and New Zealand            </a>\n        \n                    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__description\">\n                The draw for next year&#039;s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico took place on Friday evening in the American capital, Washington. 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    "links": [
        {
            "description": "Red Devils boost World Cup confidence with 2-0 friendly win over Croatia",
            "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/red-devils-boost-world-cup-confidence-with-2-0-friendly-win-over-croatia"
        },
        {
            "description": "Red Devils World Cup squad: Fernandez-Pardo included, Openda left out",
            "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/red-devils-world-cup-squad-fernandez-pardo-included-openda-left-out"
        },
        {
            "description": "2026 World Cup: Belgium in group with Iran, Egypt and New Zealand",
            "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/2026-world-cup-belgium-in-group-with-iran-egypt-and-new-zealand"
        }
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    "author": {
        "first_name": "Flanders",
        "last_name": "News Service"
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