Google searches reveal what Belgian fans are really worried about

Belgian supporters have spent the past hours and days preparing for Saturday’s decisive Group E clash against New Zealand at the 2026 FIFA World Cup by turning to Google for insights. Before every match, a ritual unfolds: fans flood Google to analyse team strengths and gather last-minute intel ahead of kick-off. Google’s pre-match briefing highlights the trending Belgian search terms ahead of this fixture. Search interest in the word “airco” has surged by 250%, reflecting concerns over matchday temperatures. Meanwhile, football fever is also heating up online as supporters seek every possible advantage. The spotlight on the team’s key players has intensified, with Belgian fans digging deeper into form and fitness. Kevin De Bruyne’s search volume has risen by 70%, but it is Jérémy Doku who currently dominates attention at +50%. The winger is the most searched player ahead of the match, with fans also probing his personal life after news of his recent fatherhood. Doku became a father to a son named Praise earlier this week following a rapid return to London.

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Doku’s current form is a major talking point among Belgian supporters as they prepare for the high-stakes encounter. The three most Googled Belgian players ahead of Belgium – New Zealand are Jérémy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku. A few days earlier, the Red Devils faced Iran in their second World Cup 2026 match. Romelu Lukaku was again the most Googled player of that game despite not finding the net. His name topped the Belgian and Iranian search charts during and after the fixture.

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Lukaku’s high search volume may be linked to his first-minute booking following a collision with Iran’s goalkeeper. Two other searches spiked: “what does a red card mean in football?” after Ousmane Ngoy’s dismissal, and “what is offside in football?” after Iran’s disallowed goal. The surge in searches reflects the growing effort among casual viewers to understand key match situations. The five most Googled players from Belgium – Iran were Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku, Mehdi Taremi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh.