Kevin de Bruyne, Belgium’s most decorated midfielder of his generation, found himself in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable seat during what appears to be his final World Cup match. Not in the center of the pitch orchestrating play, but on the bench, watching.
For a player who became the first Belgian to score in three different World Cups during the 2026 edition, the image of him sitting on the sideline carries a particular weight.
A four-tournament career winds down
Belgium advanced from Group G after dismantling New Zealand 5-1 on June 27, 2026. De Bruyne played a significant role in that result alongside longtime strike partner Romelu Lukaku, and his scoring record across three separate World Cups cemented a statistical legacy that no Belgian player had previously achieved.
Now at Napoli after his long tenure in the Premier League, de Bruyne has embraced the role of elder statesman for the Belgian squad. He’s spoken about wanting to continue representing his country as long as his body allows.
