In Belgium, during the World Cup, the rhythm of society visibly changes whenever the Belgian National Football team, also known as the Red Devils, are playing. Offices let employees leave early. Streets suddenly grow quiet before kickoff, only to fill up again after the final whistle. This shared rhythm across society makes every individual aware that, at the same moment, millions of people are all feeling the same tension and hoping for the same result.

　　Between 2018 and 2022, the Belgian National Football team remains at the top of the FIFA world rankings for quite a long time. This sustained success has further strengthened the World Cup"s role as a nationwide outlet for shared emotion. Football cannot heal Belgium"s deeper structural divisions, of course. But for the 90 minutes of a match, a country divided along linguistic lines can experience a rare sense of emotional unity.

　　

　　In a bar on Avenue Georges Henri in Brussels, fans cheer for the Belgian national team during the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on July 10, 2026. Photo: Courtesy of Han Fei

　　Beer: A liquid bond from daily social life to celebration

　　

　　If football provides the structure of Belgium"s World Cup celebrations, beer is what flows through them.

　　What makes Belgian beer distinctive is that, long before the World Cup arrives, it is already deeply rooted in the country"s everyday life and cultural identity.

　　In 2016, UNESCO added Belgian beer culture to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It noted that Belgian beer culture brings together knowledge of nature, social customs and craftsmanship, and forms an important part of both everyday and festive life. It also plays a role in maintaining social ties and strengthening a sense of community.