Belgium's World Cup Aspirations Under Scrutiny
Belgian international Axel Witsel, aged 37, has expressed a more cautious outlook regarding his national team's chances in the upcoming 2026 World Cup, suggesting that they face tougher competition than in previous tournaments. In a recent interview with Flashscore, the Girona player reflected on Belgium's past performances, stating, "I believe the generation we had achieved remarkable things. Finishing third in 2018 was indeed an incredible feat at that time."
Witsel reminisced about the unexpected journey of the Belgian squad, noting, "No one anticipated that Belgium would reach such heights, but there is a lingering sentiment that we could have done something different or perhaps even better. When we reached the semifinals, anything could have happened."
He candidly acknowledged the current landscape of international football, emphasizing, "Today, the situation is different; we must be honest with ourselves. In my opinion, there are stronger teams than us, such as France, who are a very formidable side, along with Spain and Argentina. We find ourselves in a different world today."
Experience Meets Youth in Belgium's Squad
Discussing the blend of experience and youth within the Belgian national team, Witsel remarked, "I think this is incredibly important. That is why I am here, alongside Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Thibaut Courtois. We are all getting older, and I am not the only one. However, we are here to ease the transition for younger players, and I believe that having additional experience is always vital in a World Cup setting."
When addressing the potential surprises of the tournament, he stated, "There are always surprises in every World Cup, with some teams advancing much further than expected, as was the case in Qatar last time with Morocco, for instance, finishing fourth."
Belgium is set to compete in Group G of the World Cup, alongside Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand, marking an exciting chapter in their quest for glory.
As reported by kooora.com.
