Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia has backed his side to make a deep run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, declaring the Red Devils possess both the quality and the drive to accomplish something extraordinary on football's grandest stage.

Belgium have been drawn in Group G alongside Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand — a group Garcia views as one to conquer before setting sights on what lies beyond.

Turning the page on Qatar 2022

Belgium's early group-stage exit at Qatar 2022 left a bitter taste, and Garcia has made it clear the squad is determined to put that disappointment firmly behind them.

"We need to distinguish between our objective and our ambition. Our priority is to get through the group stage. Let's come out on top so that we earn a more favourable draw and, ideally, stay put in Seattle for the Round of 32. That will be the objective," Garcia told FIFA.com.

"We'll go as far as possible. It also comes down to the luck of the draw. But we're very driven, we're aiming high, and our squad is capable of achieving great things."

Belgium's World Cup pedigree towers over Group G rivals

Belgium enter the tournament as firm favourites to top Group G. Their 14 World Cup appearances dwarf the records of their three opponents — Egypt's three, Iran's six, and New Zealand's two — and their squad depth reinforces that standing.

Yet Garcia is not allowing complacency to creep in, offering words of respect for every opponent in the pool.

"We have a huge amount of respect for the other three sides in our group," he stressed. "This is what the World Cup is all about. We know Egypt well — they're one of the best teams in Africa. I know all about Mo Salah as I coached him at Roma."

Garcia acknowledged that Iran and New Zealand present unknowns, but framed that as part of the tournament's appeal rather than a cause for concern.

"We're obviously less familiar with them as we don't see them play as often, but we're looking forward to finding out what the Iranian and New Zealand teams are made of," he said.

"Let's start by respecting our group-stage opponents. Let's beat them, finish top of the group, and then we'll see how far we can go."

For Egypt fans across Africa, the matchup against Belgium — and a potential duel involving Mohamed Salah — will be one of the most anticipated fixtures of the group stage.