The Belgian national football team, known as the Red Devils, arrived in Seattle, Washington, on Tuesday to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup [1, 2].
This arrival marks the beginning of the team's final preparations in North America. The 2026 tournament is hosted across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, making early acclimatization to the region critical for the squad's performance.
The team landed at approximately 3 p.m. local time [1, 3]. Reports on the duration of the trans-Atlantic flight varied, with some sources saying the journey took about 10 hours [3] and others saying the flight was approximately 12 hours [1].
Upon arrival, the squad settled into their accommodations in Seattle to recover from the long trip. The team is scheduled to resume training shortly after their arrival to shake off the effects of jet lag and prepare for the opening stages of the competition.
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026 [4, 5]. The Red Devils' choice of Seattle as a base allows them to establish a routine in one of the host cities before the tournament officially kicks off.
While some conflicting reports suggested the team had traveled to Croatia, verified data confirms the squad is currently in the U.S. [1, 2, 3].
“The Belgian national football team, known as the Red Devils, arrived in Seattle, Washington.”
The early arrival of the Belgian squad in Seattle underscores the logistical challenges of a tri-national tournament. By landing days before the June 11 start date, the team aims to mitigate the physiological impact of a 10-to-12-hour flight and a significant time zone shift, which can negatively affect athlete recovery and cognitive function during high-stakes matches.
