Belgium’s Unexpected Rise: From Underachievers to World Cup Quarter-finalists Fueled by Controversy and Garcia’s Maverick Tactics

Belgium, a nation long associated with a ‘golden generation’ that underwhelmed on the biggest stage, has unexpectedly found itself at the heart of the World Cup quarter-finals, battling Spain. Their journey has been marked by a surprising resurgence, fueled in part by a controversial FIFA decision and the maverick tactics of head coach Rudi Garcia.

The team, often seen as underachievers despite possessing world-class talent like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku in previous tournaments, has adopted a new identity this summer. This transformation has seen them overcome early tournament stumbles and rally from significant deficits, showcasing an incisive, fast-paced style of play.

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A FIFA decision regarding U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s suspension, which Belgium felt was unfairly overturned after a conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, ignited a firestorm. The Belgian camp viewed the decision as FIFA bending rules to favor the host nation, sparking anger and a sense of injustice. This controversy, however, seemed to galvanize the team, providing an unexpected motivational boost.

Garcia’s influence has been central to Belgium’s tactical evolution. The former Marseille, Lyon, and Napoli manager has implemented unorthodox strategies, sometimes dropping key players like De Bruyne and Doku, leading to bewildered reactions even within his own staff. Yet, these unpredictable calls have, remarkably, yielded positive results, particularly in the latter stages of matches.

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The team’s dramatic comeback victory against Senegal, where they overturned a 2-0 deficit in the final minutes of regular time to win 3-2 in extra time, exemplified their newfound resilience. This was followed by a strong performance against the United States, where Lukaku’s “we can’t hear you” celebration and the team’s “Trump dance” visually conveyed their feelings about the FIFA ruling.

While publicly Belgium has moved on from the Balogun saga, the private sentiment remains one of exasperation at perceived favoritism towards the host nation. The team has also taken pride in what they see as standing up to FIFA, viewing themselves as trailblazers in challenging the world governing body.

Garcia himself, with his Spanish heritage, faces an intriguing quarter-final against Spain. He has openly admired Spanish football and its coaching philosophy, adding another layer of narrative to the upcoming clash.

The Belgian federation’s pre-tournament target was reaching the last eight, a goal they have now achieved. The question now is what more they can accomplish, with their ability to score late goals, a strategy Garcia has attributed to having distinct first-half and second-half teams, being a notable characteristic. Lukaku’s role as a late “finisher” is crucial to this approach.

The transformation under Garcia has been so profound that a website, ‘Sorry Rudi’, has been established by fans to apologize for their initial doubts about his tenure, attracting over 10,000 messages. Belgium’s unexpected run to the quarter-finals, marked by controversy and unconventional coaching, has captured global attention, proving that this team is far from the underachievers of years past.

Source: How Belgium went from unspectacular underachievers to the world’s favourite team, The Athletic, https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7435621/2026/07/10/belgium-fifa-trump-balogun-world-cup/