Belgian press criticizes aging squad after goalless draw with Iran

Belgium opened its 2026 World Cup campaign with a 0-0 draw against Iran, drawing sharp criticism from the Belgian press over the team's lackluster display and struggles in attack. Sports commentators noted that the squad's star players fell short of their usual standards, with newspapers highlighting a loss of pace and dynamism across the lineup. Beyond the on-field performance, the technical staff's squad selections also came under fire. With key players failing to deliver, the team's prospects in the group stage have become a subject of debate in Belgian coverage of the tournament. Belgium now faces pressure to avoid a defeat in its second group match in order to keep its chances of advancing from the group.