World Cup 2026: Charles De Ketelaere could be Belgium’s secret weapon | OneFootball

The demise of the so-called ‘Golden Generation’ triggered a much-needed reset for the Belgian national team. While some of the older players are still around, a new wave of talents will lead Belgium into a new era. They include Atalanta star Charles De Ketelaere.

He first sprang to prominence during the 2019/20 season, making his Champions League debut as a substitute for Club Brugge against Paris Saint-Germain. He helped Club Brugge win the title for three consecutive seasons, before securing a €35 million move to AC Milan in August 2022.

However, he failed to live up to expectations with Milan, making just nine league starts. Atalanta offered him a route out of the club the following summer and he hasn’t looked back. He played a key role as Atalanta won the Europa League in 2023/24 and has become a key member of the Belgian national team squad. Read on as we assess why the 25-year-old could be a difference-maker for Belgium at the 2026 World Cup in North America this summer.

Revival at Atalanta shows character

After leaving Club Brugge, the Belgian international failed to impose himself in a system at AC Milan that required immediate output, resulting in him suffering a dip in confidence. His underwhelming time with Milan raised questions about his ability to cut it at the highest level. However, his move to Atalanta in 2023 has helped him prove the doubters wrong.

Atlanta’s tactical system prioritises swift movement, versatility and positional interchange – conditions that suit De Ketelaere’s skill set down to the ground. Former Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini helped De Ketelaere rediscover his best form, and he has continued to flourish since Raffaele Palladino took charge.

While De Ketelaere’s output in terms of goals and assists has dipped a little this season, he believes he is contributing more to the team’s overall performances. “I may have scored slightly less than last season, but I really do feel that I’m playing much better,” he said. “I know that sounds contradictory, but I do feel that I am more important to the team now“.

“I still don’t regret that move from Club Brugge to Milan. Perhaps I should have had more self-confidence, but I have learned that in the meantime. The style of play with Atalanta helped me in my development. I think my qualities come to the fore best in a 3-4-3 or a 3-5-2. I enjoy being at Atalanta. I am super happy there and still have some time left on my contract. Sometimes you have to cherish what you have.”

Belgium can benefit from De Ketelaere’s resurgence

Belgium could be the beneficiaries of De Ketelaere’s resurgence this summer as he is capable of bringing control and unpredictability into the national team’s attacking structure. The Red Devils’ current squad has been intentionally changed from the established hierarchy that defined their peak years. They now operate with a more dynamic style of play. 

Finishing third at the 2018 World Cup in Russia created a lofty benchmark that subsequent Belgian squads failed to match at major tournaments. The group-stage exit in Qatar four years later was the final straw, accelerating the retirement of most members of that generation of players.

Manager Rudi Garcia has responded by changing the tactical identity, preferring speed in transition and allowing creative players to have freedom during attacking phases. Qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup confirmed the effectiveness of those changes as Belgium topped their group with an unbeaten record. Kevin De Bruyne continues to dictate play while Jeremy Doku injects pace on the flanks. New players have settled seamlessly into a system designed to maximise teamwork.

De Ketelaere’s role is different from his predecessors. He upgrades how Belgium creates attacking chances and gives them more solidity when the team is under pressure. His ability to create space, connect phases and finish moves makes him one of the central figures in a team that now prioritises the collective rather than superstar individuals.

Group stage matches against Egypt, Iran and New Zealand will demand tactical discipline. Belgium must impose themselves as early as possible, converting possession and dominance into goals. De Ketelaere’s performances will help to define Belgium’s tournament and determine whether this new generation of players can become genuine contenders.

GBeNeFN | Zach Lowy