Belgian Cup
The Belgian Cup is the premier knockout football competition in Belgium, run by the Royal Belgian Football Association. It features teams from every level of Belgian football, from Pro League giants to amateur sides, renowned for giant-killings and thrilling encounters.
History and foundation
Launched in 1968 as the Beker van België, it replaced regional cups. Anderlecht claimed the inaugural title. Standouts include KRC Genk's 1973 upset over Anderlecht. Standard Liège leads with 10 wins, Anderlecht has 9. Interruptions came during world wars, and in 2020, Antwerp won without a final due to COVID-19. Memorable finals like Club Brugge's 6-2 thrashing of Gent in 2010 highlight its drama.
Tournament format
Single-elimination format with over 200 entrants from all divisions. Early rounds span summer to autumn; top clubs join at the round of 32. Knockout ties are one-off, with extra time and penalties if needed. The final is hosted at a neutral venue, often King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match hover at 2.8, spiking to 4 in preliminary rounds. Top scorers: Joseph Alexandre (10 goals, 1974/75 for Racing Jet); Diego Jota (9, 2018/19). Legends like Thibaut Courtois (Genk youth), Kevin De Bruyne (Genk), and Romelu Lukaku (Anderlecht) shone here early. All-time leading scorer Bernard Wesphael with 28 goals. It's a launchpad for stars.