De Bruyne on what he and Lukaku bring to Belgium’s troubled World Cup campaign

Kevin De Bruyne insists he and Romelu Lukaku can bring ‘experience’ to the Belgium squad at the 2026 World Cup, helping the players be ‘even more determined’ after two disappointing draws.

Rudi Garcia’s Belgium kicked off their 2026 World Cup campaign with back-to-back draws against Iran and Egypt.

De Bruyne comments on Belgium’s tough start to 2026 World Cup

“We made some silly mistakes, and we put a lot of pressure on ourselves,” De Bruyne told Gazzetta.

COMO, ITALY – MAY 02: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on May 02, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Against Iran, we took many shots, and let’s be honest, we were also a bit lucky with that offside call on Taremi’s goal. More balance is needed, and we need to avoid negative thoughts from arising. We’ll have to talk to find the way.”

Both De Bruyne and Lukaku are not in their best shape, but what do they bring to the Belgium squad?

“Experience; that’s what will lead us to managing a situation that is different from the one we expected,” De Bruyne replied.

VERONA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli and Unai Núñez of Hellas Verona during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on February 28, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 15: Romelu Lukaku of Belgium forces an own goal by Mohamed Hany of Egypt during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between Belgium and Egypt at Seattle Stadium on June 15, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

“I know that in the biggest tournaments, feelings change very quickly, and we must be able to manage the positive and negative moments. Until now, it’s all been very quick; we know we haven’t done well, and this has affected morale, but now is the moment when we need to be even more determined.

“Everyone knows how close we [he and Lukaku] have been for years, but now it’s the time to focus on the team,” De Bruyne concluded.

“We’ve not been up to the task, but we can become so.”