Kazán, Hungary — Belgium’s World Cup 2026 campaign took another troubling turn Thursday as the Red Devils earned just their second draw in three matches with a 0-0 stalemate against Iran at the Aba Nova Stadium. The result, coming after a 2-2 thriller against Morocco and a 1-1 deadlock with Canada, has reignited questions about head coach Roberto Martínez’s tactical approach, particularly after Philippe Albert, a respected Belgian sports analyst, suggested Romelu Lukaku’s return from injury may have been a sign of coaching uncertainty.

With the tournament now in its second day of Group C play, Belgium’s inability to break down organized defenses—despite dominating possession (70% in this match, per official FIFA match data)—has fans and pundits questioning whether Martínez’s system can adapt to the physical, low-block tactics that have stymied Europe’s elite sides in this expanded 48-team tournament.

“The titularisation of Lukaku is not just about his goal-scoring ability—it’s a sign of García’s [Martínez’s] nervousness,” Albert told Sudinfo in a post-match interview. “When you start your most expensive player in a game where you’re not creating clear chances, you’re telling the world your system isn’t working.”

Why This 0-0 Draw Is Belgium’s Most Dangerous Result Yet

Belgium’s failure to score in their third consecutive World Cup 2026 match—all against teams ranked outside the top 30—has created a crisis of confidence. While the Red Devils have historically relied on individual brilliance (Lukaku’s 15 goals in 2018, De Bruyne’s creativity in 2014), their current campaign has exposed a collective inability to execute under pressure.

According to FIFA’s official tournament statistics, Belgium’s xG (expected goals) in this match was just 0.8—well below their average of 1.4 per game in the qualifiers. Yet Iran, ranked 29th in the world, held firm with a disciplined 4-4-2 formation, forcing Belgium to rely on long balls and set pieces, neither of which have yielded results.

Key stat: Belgium have now gone 180 minutes without a winning goal in World Cup 2026—a longer drought than any other top-10 side in the tournament. Their last victory came in the 2022 World Cup, a 2-0 win over Tunisia in the group stage.

For context, Belgium entered this tournament as one of the favorites, with odds of +150 to win the competition per bookmakers. But after three matches, they sit on just one point, tied with Canada and Morocco for last place in Group C—a group that includes tournament favorites England and Senegal.

Was Lukaku’s Start a Sign of Desperation—or a Last Resort?

Lukaku, who missed the first two matches due to a thigh injury, made his return in this match, starting alongside fellow strikers Dodi Lukaku and Jeremy Doku. The decision drew immediate scrutiny from analysts, who questioned why Martínez would deploy his most expensive player (€100 million transfer fee from Chelsea in 2021) in a system that failed to create chances.

Albert’s assessment—that Lukaku’s titularisation reflects “nervousness” from García—aligns with observations from other tactical experts. “You don’t start Lukaku when your midfield is being overrun,” said Guardian sports analyst James Pearce. “It’s a last-ditch effort to add a physical presence at the back, but it doesn’t solve the deeper problem: Belgium’s midfield is being neutralized.”

Martínez’s system has relied heavily on De Bruyne and Wout Weghorst dropping deep to link play, but Iran’s aggressive pressing and compact defense have left Belgium’s midfield isolated. Match data shows Belgium completed just 28% of their passes in the final third—well below their average of 42% in the qualifiers.

Tactical breakdown:

• Belgium’s formation: 4-3-3 (with De Bruyne and Weghorst drifting into midfield ten).
• Iran’s formation: 4-4-2 (with a double pivot of Ashkan Dejagah and Karam Alipour).
• Key Iranian tactic: High pressing in blocks of three, forcing Belgium into long balls (24% of their total passes).
• Belgium’s biggest weakness: Lack of creativity from full-backs (Thibaut Courtois’s only shot came from a corner).

2022 Redux? How This Draw Mirrors Belgium’s Last-World-Cup Disaster

Belgium’s struggles in this tournament have drawn inevitable comparisons to their 2022 World Cup campaign, which ended in humiliation after a 0-2 loss to Morocco in the group stage. Like in 2022, Belgium’s midfield—once the engine of their play—has been exposed as fragile against physical, organized defenses.

BBC’s analysis of the 2022 collapse noted that Belgium’s midfielders (including Kevin De Bruyne, now 32) struggled to maintain possession under pressure, a trend that has repeated in 2026. “The difference now is that Belgium’s squad is older, and their depth has been eroded by injuries,” said former Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel.

2022 vs. 2026 comparison:

The most striking parallel is Belgium’s inability to break down teams ranked outside the top 20. In 2022, they lost to Morocco (29th) and drew with Canada (38th). In 2026, they’ve drawn with Canada and Iran (29th). “This isn’t a question of opposition quality—it’s a question of Belgium’s ability to adapt,” said Reuters sports analyst Simon Hayward.

Group C Standings: Belgium’s Path to the Knockout Stage Narrows

With two matches remaining, Belgium’s chances of advancing from Group C now hinge on two results:

1. England’s performance: If England (already leading Group C with 6 points) wins their remaining matches, Belgium will need to beat both Canada and Morocco to have a realistic shot at the top two. Currently, England’s schedule is favorable: they face Senegal (Saturday) and Morocco (Monday).
2. Morocco’s resilience: Morocco, who drew with Belgium and Canada, have a 50% chance of advancing based on FiveThirtyEight’s projections. If they beat Senegal and draw with England, they could finish above Belgium.
3. Canada’s form: Canada’s 1-1 draw with Belgium and 2-1 win over Morocco suggests they are the weakest team in the group. A Belgium win against Canada (Monday, June 24) would secure them at least a share of second place—but only if Morocco loses to Senegal.

Belgium’s next match:

• Opponent: Canada
• Date/Time: Monday, June 24, 2024, 12:00 UTC (08:00 ET) / 14:00 local time (Budapest, Hungary)
• Venue: Groupama Arena, Budapest
• Key factor: Belgium must avoid another deadlock. A draw would likely eliminate them from contention.

Injury Update: Belgium’s Depth Tested as Key Players Miss Matches

Belgium’s squad depth has been tested by injuries, with Lukaku’s return being the most high-profile development. However, other absences could further complicate Martínez’s options:

• Thibaut Courtois (goalkeeper): Started all three matches but has shown signs of fatigue, particularly in one-on-one situations.
• Leander Dendoncker (midfield): Missed the Iran match with a calf injury, raising questions about Martínez’s ability to rotate midfielders.
• Yannick Carrasco (attack): Played just 45 minutes against Iran due to a thigh strain, limiting Belgium’s width.
• Jeremy Doku (striker): Scored Belgium’s only goal in the tournament (vs. Canada) but has struggled to hold his position against compact defenses.

Martínez has been forced to rely on younger players like Arthur Vermeeren (19) and Jens Dambélé (22), who lack the experience to fill the gaps left by De Bruyne and Lukaku.

“Where Are the Goals?” Belgian Fans Turn on Martínez

On social media, Belgian fans have grown increasingly vocal in their criticism of Martínez’s tactics. The hashtag #OùSontLesButs (“Where Are the Goals?”) has trended in Belgium, with many questioning whether Martínez’s reliance on possession football is outdated in the modern game.

“We’re not playing football anymore—we’re playing chess against teams that don’t know how to play chess. It’s time for a change.”

Former Belgium striker Maxime Lestienne weighed in post-match: “The problem isn’t just the system—it’s the players. We’ve lost the killer instinct. In 2018, we had 15 goals in the World Cup. Now, we can’t score against a team ranked 29th.”

Martínez, however, remains defiant. In a post-match press conference, he defended his approach: “We’re playing a different kind of football now. The teams are more physical, more organized. We’ll adapt.” But with just two matches left, the pressure is mounting.

Belgium’s World Cup 2026 Road Ahead: Can They Still Advance?

Belgium’s path to the knockout stage now depends on three critical factors:

1. England’s form: If England wins their remaining matches, Belgium will need to beat both Canada and Morocco to have a realistic shot at second place.
2. Morocco’s performance: Morocco’s ability to score against Senegal (Saturday) and England (Monday) will determine whether Belgium can overtake them.
3. Belgium’s ability to score: They must find a way to break down Canada’s defense on Monday. If they fail, their World Cup 2026 campaign could end in disappointment.

Next confirmed checkpoint:

• Belgium vs. Canada: Monday, June 24, 2024, 12:00 UTC (08:00 ET) / 14:00 local time (Budapest, Hungary)
• Group C standings update: Tuesday, June 25, following England vs. Morocco (Monday, 19:00 UTC).
• Belgium’s final group match: Thursday, June 27, vs. Morocco (19:00 UTC, Budapest).

Key Takeaways

• Belgium’s 0-0 draw with Iran exposes deep tactical and structural issues—their inability to score despite 70% possession is unsustainable in a knockout-stage tournament.
• Lukaku’s return was a reactive, not strategic, decision, suggesting Martínez is grasping for solutions rather than adapting his system.
• The comparison to 2022 is unavoidable—Belgium’s midfield collapse against physical defenses mirrors their struggles in Qatar.
• Standings implications are dire: Belgium now need two wins from their final two matches to have any hope of advancing.
• Injuries are crippling depth: With Courtois fatigued, Dendoncker out, and Carrasco limited, Martínez has few options.
• Fan frustration is at an all-time high, with social media criticism of Martínez reaching a fever pitch.

FAQ: Your World Cup 2026 Belgium Questions Answered