Hoefkens in pole position at OH Leuven as Belgium kick off World Cup

Hoefkens on his way back to Belgium with OH Leuven

Carl Hoefkens is the leading candidate to take over at OH Leuven. The former Club Brugge coach, currently at NAC Breda, is in pole position for the job (6). Nothing is signed, but the talks are clear.

Belgium vs. Egypt, tonight in Seattle

The day is finally here. Belgium open their World Cup against Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle, kickoff at 21:00 local time (1) (2) (7). The squad flew out from Brussels days ago, and the nine-hour time difference was a serious concern heading in, the Belgian FA even installed special lighting at the team hotel to reset body clocks.

One extra challenge: the temperature in Seattle is hitting record levels, and your team will play under punishing sun (3). Egypt are no pushovers either. Still, 77 percent of readers believe Belgium win tonight (1). The mood says confidence.

Chelsea have eyes on Penders

Mike Penders could get his chance tonight. Chelsea are watching, with the young goalkeeper in the Belgium squad and the club tracking his World Cup involvement (5).

Elsewhere at the World Cup

Spain face Cape Verde at 18:00. Iran vs. New Zealand and Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay follow later, with Uruguay's Marcelo Bielsa and Saudi coach Georgios Donis both looking to make a mark on day one (7).

Fan reactions

Belgian fans on Reddit are leaning into the reboot narrative. One preview called it "The Red Devils Reboot Without the Golden Generation Weight," and there is a sense this squad enters with something to prove rather than something to lose. The full preview thread is here.