Belgium (foto: Getty Images)
Belgian FA faces €8 million debt, delays in player payments, and plans to abolish the U-16 team, raising serious concerns ahead of the World Cup.
The Belgian Football Association is dealing with a significant financial crisis, with total debt estimated at around €8 million, according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri.
The situation is described as increasingly unstable, with financial pressure growing month by month and affecting multiple levels of the organization.
One of the most concerning developments relates to player payments.
Sources indicate that players have not received agreed salaries and bonuses, a situation that risks damaging trust within the national setup and raising questions about internal management.
Cost-cutting measures have already begun to impact the sporting structure.
The federation is reportedly preparing to disband the U-16 national team, a program that has historically been regarded as one of the strongest youth setups in international football.
This move reflects the depth of the financial constraints and highlights the urgency of the situation.
The federation is now placing considerable importance on the upcoming World Cup as a potential financial turning point.
According to Tavolieri, progression to at least the quarter-finals could generate prize money sufficient to partially offset existing debts.
"If they fail to achieve a strong result, the financial situation will become even more difficult," he noted.
Belgium secured qualification for the tournament by finishing first in a group that included Liechtenstein, Kazakhstan, Wales, and North Macedonia.
In the group stage, they are scheduled to face Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand.
Despite the off-field instability, Belgium remains competitive at international level and currently holds ninth place in the FIFA rankings.
However, the contrast between sporting performance and financial reality is becoming increasingly evident, with structural challenges now threatening the long-term stability of Belgian football.