The 2026/27 Jupiler Pro League season kicks off this weekend and promises to be a very exciting one. Several young players will be entering their first full season at the highest level, while others will be looking to cement the starting spots they earned last season.
GK – Lucca BRUGHMANS
Lucca has been KRC Genk’s starting goalkeeper since the end of last season and managed to impress during his various appearances, notably keeping five consecutive clean sheets in May (against Westerlo, Standard Liège, Antwerp and OH Leuven).
Lucca is a goalkeeper with an impressive frame and is one of the most promising young goalkeepers around. This season will be his first as a regular starter for the senior team. Lucca is a Belgian international and part of the 2008 generation.
RB – Davis OPOKU
Davis started the final four Jupiler Pro League games of last season and was also in the starting lineup during OH Leuven’s pre-season matches, scoring against Crossing Schaerbeek.
Davis should realistically earn a regular starting spot on the right-hand side this season. He is also reportedly attracting interest from several clubs in the Netherlands, so this is certainly a situation to keep an eye on.
Davis is a Belgian international and part of the 2007 generation.
CB – Josué KONGOLO
We have been waiting for some time to see Josué play regularly for KRC Genk after his impressive performances with Jong Genk in the Challenger Pro League and what he subsequently showed with the senior team.
A regular starter since the end of last season, the 2026/27 campaign could be the one in which Josué finally gets the opportunity to complete a full season as a starter for KRC Genk.
Josué is a Belgian international and part of the 2006 generation.
CB – Ian STRUYF
Ian made his professional debut with KV Mechelen last season, which also earned him his first call-up to the Belgian national team at U19 level with the 2007 generation during the same season.
Ian can play on the left side of a back three as well as at left-back. He accumulated just under 500 minutes last season, but we can hope to see him get more playing time this campaign and find out how he develops at the highest level of Belgian football.
LB – Eran TUYPENS
Eran is the first Antwerp player to feature in this XI. Last season, Antwerp gave opportunities to several young players, including Xander Dierckx and Youssef Hamdaoui.
Eran had the opportunity to start four matches during the Play-Offs, and it will be interesting to see whether he can build on that experience and establish himself at the start of this season.
It is also worth mentioning that Aaron Ibrahim, another Antwerp player, could have made this XI as well. He scored a spectacular goal against PSV during pre-season and also signed his first professional contract with the club in July. He could very well make an impact himself this season.
CDM – Laurens GOEMAERE
After several seasons with Club NXT and a fantastic UEFA Youth League run that saw them reach the final with Laurens as captain, he decided to take the next step in his career by joining Standard de Liège, following a similar path to Ibe Hautekiet in 2023.
It will be very interesting to see how Laurens adapts to the step up from the Challenger Pro League to the Jupiler Pro League at a prestigious club like Standard Liège, and hopefully he will be given plenty of playing time.
Laurens can play as a defensive midfielder but can also operate at centre-back, as he demonstrated during the UEFA Youth League.
CM – August DE WANNEMACKER
August De Wannemacker is one of the most promising talents currently playing in the Jupiler Pro League. August is a midfielder with an incredible understanding of the game.
An undisputed starter for Jong Genk last season, he will be looking to earn regular playing time with KRC Genk this season and, perhaps, add a few more starts to his tally.
August is also a key player for Belgium’s 2008 generation. He is definitely a player to watch this season.
CM – Xander DIERCKX
Xander broke into Antwerp’s starting XI towards the end of 2025 and has not looked back since.
He became the first player born in 2009 to play in the Jupiler Pro League and immediately established himself as an important player for Antwerp, bringing back memories of a certain Arthur Vermeeren a few years earlier.
A recent finalist at the U19 EURO, it will be fascinating to watch Xander continue his development at the Great Old and see him improve throughout the season.
RW – Joshua NGA KANA
Joshua, another member of the 2009 generation that reached the U19 EURO final, is a different type of winger from Jayden.
Joshua likes to cut inside and showcase his ball-carrying ability. He is a versatile player who, in addition to playing on the wing, can operate in every midfield position.
After an impressive season in the Challenger Pro League, he was already able to join the senior team’s winter training camp last season and also made his Jupiler Pro League debut during the campaign.
It will be interesting to see whether Joshua can earn himself a place in this Anderlecht side, which could achieve some great things this season.
LW – Jayden ONIA SEKE
Jayden Onia Seke is a special player. Recognised as a major talent for several years, Jayden has attracted interest from numerous European clubs.
After suffering an injury at the beginning of last season, he managed to return and rediscover his best form. As we recently saw in the Europa League, where he made three consecutive starts, Jayden plays without fear and is not afraid to shoot or take on his direct opponent one-on-one.
Jayden could receive significant playing time this season, as his coach appears to have a lot of confidence in him.
Jayden is a Belgian international and part of the 2009 generation. He is also coming off a run to the U19 EURO final.
ST – Gerard VANDEPLAS
The number nine position is perhaps the one that offers the fewest opportunities to young players in the Jupiler Pro League.
Norman Bassette is not included here as he is already well known, while Robin Mirisola could also have been mentioned. However, the arrival of a new striker at KRC Genk for a record fee could limit his opportunities.
Vandeplas will also have significant competition to overcome if he wants to make his mark and will therefore need to take his chances whenever they come in order to earn a few starts throughout the season.
Vandeplas is a former Belgian international and a member of the 2006 generation.
Conclusion
Of course, this XI is far from exhaustive and there are many other young players who could make an impact in the Jupiler Pro League this season. Some have already made their mark at the highest level while others are still waiting for their opportunity.
The 2026/27 season could be a particularly exciting one for young Belgian talent and we will be keeping a close eye on these players as well as many others throughout the campaign.