Just hours before the clash between Belgium and Senegal in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup, Kevin De Bruyne had nothing but praise for the Lions.
In an interview with RTBF, the Belgian midfielder was full of praise for the Senegalese national team: “Senegal is one of the best teams in Africa. They’ve won the AFCON, they’ve finished first, second… It doesn’t matter, they’re simply a great footballing nation.
They have some very good players, against whom I’ve often played,” said Kevin De Bruyne.
Senegal and Belgium will meet this Wednesday, July 1st, at 8:00 PM GMT in Seattle, with a place in the round of 16 at stake. Senegal have qualified for the FIFA World Cup four times (2002, 2018, 2022, and 2026). Their best finish was in 2002 when they reached the quarter-finals.
They famously upset reigning champions France in their tournament debut that year, and advanced to the round of 16 in 2022.
Ahead of the game, Senegal have confirmed their first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has returned to Saudi Arabia for medical examinations following his knee injury and could miss the Round of 32 fixture.
