Belgium Tests Egypt-Style Playbook in Africa Friendly Ahead of World Cup
23 January 2026
Ahead of the World Cup, Belgium Tests an Egypt-Style Playbook Against Africa
The Belgian national team has chosen to play an African opponent in a friendly to close its World Cup preparations, a deliberate move aimed at mimicking the style of one of its group-stage rivals, Egypt.
The Belgian Football Association announced that Belgium will face Tunisia on June 6 at King Baudouin Stadium, a few days before both teams travel to North America to participate in the World Cup, deeming Tunisia an ideal test for Belgium due to the close similarities in playing style with the Pharaohs.
Belgium is in Group Seven alongside Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand, and the coaching staff aims to test tactical solutions against teams that rely on defensive organization and quick transitions—traits shared by Tunisia and Egypt.
The Red Devils will begin their warm-up schedule with a friendly against Croatia on June 2, after two tough matches against two of the tournament hosts, as they will face the United States in Atlanta on March 28 and Mexico in Chicago on March 31.
Belgium's group-stage matches will be played in Seattle, Los Angeles, and Vancouver, with hopes of going far in the tournament.
If Belgium's defense tightens any more, even their jokes will be offside.
After this tune-up, Egypt might ask Belgium for autographs—on the wall of their tactical playbook.
