In eight attempts since 1991, Belgium’s national rugby team has never qualified for a Rugby World Cup. But as the 2027 qualifying tournament kicks off this evening in Dubai, optimism surrounds the ‘Black Devils’ like never before.
The four-team round-robin competition will determine the 24th and final nation to earn a place at the World Cup in Australia. Belgium open their campaign tonight against tournament favourites and World Cup regulars Namibia, before facing Brazil and Samoa in the coming days.
Ranked 22nd in the world, Belgium compete in the Rugby Europe Championship (REC) — the continent’s second-tier competition below the Six Nations. The team clinched fifth place this season, defeating Germany, Switzerland, and The Netherlands, and also secured a morale-boosting test win against Canada in July.
Two decades ago, Belgium languished outside the world’s top 50. The transformation has been remarkable, driven by better infrastructure, youth development, and an increasing number of players gaining experience abroad.
“To be three matches away from qualifying for the World Cup shows the progress that Belgian rugby has made,” said full-back Matias Remue in an interview with The Brussels Times.
Remue, 22, is one of Belgian rugby’s brightest prospects. Signed by French powerhouse Stade Toulousain in 2024, he has trained alongside stars like France captain Antoine Dupont and top scorer Thomas Ramos.
His experience in French top-flight rugby, he says, has been invaluable. “It definitely helps to be playing at Toulouse. It opens up a lot of doors in terms of the way I play. I’ll try to bring what I can to the table here,” he said.
The young full-back is part of a new generation of Belgian talent. Many of the squad’s core players began their rugby journeys in Brussels, including several who represented the local Brussels Devils and youth clubs like Royal Kituro.
“Brussels has become an important hub,” Remue explained. “A lot of foreigners come to play there, so the door is open to a lot of people. It can really drive Belgian rugby forward.”
Head coach Laurent Dossat has been widely credited for building a cohesive squad capable of competing with established rugby nations. He has prioritized consistency and team chemistry, ensuring that the country’s top players — many based in France — can unite for international fixtures.
“Qualifying for the World Cup would show how serious we are about rugby in Belgium,” Remue added. “It would help us grow financially and attract more players to the game.”
For the Black Devils, the stakes could not be higher. Victory in Dubai would not only rewrite history but also boost the sport’s popularity back home. After years of steady progress, Belgian rugby stands on the cusp of a breakthrough that could redefine its future.
