Belgium are determined to seize the initiative in Group G when they face Egypt in their World Cup opener on Monday, with coach Rudi Garcia urging his players to approach the match like a final.
With Iran and New Zealand also in the group, Belgium and Egypt are widely viewed as the strongest contenders to top the standings, making their opening clash a potentially decisive encounter.
“We are going to focus on our strengths, we want to be protagonists,” Garcia said.
“We really need to go all-in tomorrow as if it is the final.”
The Belgian coach was full of praise for Egypt, describing the Pharaohs as one of the strongest African teams ever assembled.
Led by star forwards Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, Egypt also boast an impressive defensive record and are expected to provide a stern test.
“It is one of the best African squads of all time,” Garcia said, while noting that every team has weaknesses that can be exploited.
Belgium are aiming to bounce back after a disappointing group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup, but Garcia is taking a measured approach to expectations.
“It’s step by step — first we want to get out of the group stage, but we also want to finish top of the group,” he said.
The match will also mark Garcia’s World Cup debut as a head coach and Youri Tielemans’ first major tournament as Belgium captain.
Tielemans acknowledged the nerves that often accompany an opening match but urged his teammates to embrace the occasion.
“Every first game is very nervous, so it’s up to us to start well,” he said. “Go for it, have no regrets, and then anything can happen.”
