Mathieu Istace has been appointed as the new head of communication and content for the Belgian Football Association. The 41-year-old journalist, announced by the federation on Tuesday, will start on September 15th and will also serve as press officer for the Belgium national football team.
The Belgian national team enters this new administrative phase leading their 2026 World Cup qualifying group. They have five points from three games, with a record of one win and two draws. Their attacking record shows six goals scored and two conceded.
Who does Mathieu Istace replace at the Belgian FA?
Mathieu Istace succeeds David Steegen, whose collaboration with the URBSFA began in March 2025 and ended last August 24th. Istace brings nearly two decades of media experience, primarily with the production company Woestijnvis. He has commentated on football matches and cycling races for RTBF, RTL, and Proximus Pickx.
His recent role included being a coordinator for Play Sports since 2025. "I am delighted to seize this wonderful opportunity, which will allow me to continue combining passion and work," the new head said in a statement. He added that working directly with the national teams motivated him greatly.
What is the sporting context for the Red Devils?
The Belgian squad is preparing for its next official match against Italy, away on September 25th. This fixture comes during a transitional period, with the team having lost its last two friendly matches. Their recent form over five games is three wins and two losses.
Midfielder Amadou Onana is currently sidelined, an absence that affects tactical options. Fans can follow the squad's evolution and upcoming fixtures on our fixtures page. The last official outing was on July 10th, a 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final stages of the 2026 World Cup.
What does the 2026 World Cup represent for Belgium?
The 2026 tournament, hosted in North America, featured 48 teams for the first time. Belgium was eliminated in the round of 16 by Argentina, the eventual champion. The Red Devils' journey in that edition remains a benchmark for the ongoing rebuild.
Iran, a future group-stage opponent for Belgium, prepared in Tehran. The competition was won by Spain, who claimed their second world title.
What are the challenges for the new communication lead?
Mathieu Istace's task will be to manage the narrative around a team rebuilding after a golden generation. He will need to highlight new faces and URBSFA projects while maintaining the connection with supporters. His experience in television production and live broadcasting will be an asset for this role.
The Belgian federation is seeking to stabilize its environment after several changes. The current squad lineup is available on our squad page. The next Red Devils gathering is scheduled for late September to face Italy in qualifying.
