Salah and Belgium’s golden generation eye final World Cup push

Egypt captain Mohamed Salah and Belgium’s experienced core of Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois are heading into the 2026 World Cup in what is widely seen as their last realistic chance to win football’s biggest prize.

 

All four stars are expected to play key roles in Group G, where their teams have been drawn alongside Iran and New Zealand.

 

Belgium’s so-called “golden generation,” which also featured Eden Hazard and Vincent Kompany, once rose to the top of FIFA rankings and reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, finishing third. However, despite high expectations, the group failed to win a major international trophy at its peak.

 

Only De Bruyne, Lukaku and Courtois remain from that core, with all three now in their mid-30s and likely approaching their final World Cup appearances.

 

Egypt, led by Salah, will also carry heavy expectations despite limited international success. The Liverpool forward, who turns 34 during the tournament, remains the country’s most influential player but is still searching for a major trophy with the national team.

 

Salah’s previous World Cup appearance in 2018 was disrupted by injury, and he enters the 2026 edition after a hamstring setback that affected the end of his club career.

 

Iran, meanwhile, are set for their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance, although their build-up has been overshadowed by off-field political tensions involving potential travel restrictions and diplomatic pressure.

 

New Zealand complete the group after qualifying with a 3–0 win over New Caledonia, marking their third appearance at the tournament finals.

 

With several ageing stars and emerging challengers in the group, Group G is expected to be one of the most closely watched sections of the competition.