Forty-one days after the last match in the Champions' Playoffs against KAA Gent, Blauw-Zwart will play its first preseason match of the 2026–2027 season on Saturday. KV Kortrijk is the opponent, at KFC Heist’s home field, where the match kicks off at 2 p.m. You can find all the details about the preseason match below in the Club Facts.
THE MATCH
Just like last season, the preseason campaign kicks off with a match against the Kerels. Coach Ivan Leko will not yet have a fully available squad at his disposal. The five World Cup participants—Brandon Mechele, Hans Vanaken, Joaquin Seys, Joel Ordóñez, and Gustaf Nilsson—are still absent, as are Christos Tzolis, Raphael Onyedika, and Gianluca Okon, who concluded their previous season with international duties.
The match offers opportunities for several young players. Among others, Tian Nai Koren, Samuel Gomez Van Hoogen, Wout Verlinden, Mohamed Elbay, Jessi Da Silva, Andre Garcia, Naïm Amengai, and Yanis Musuayi are joining the preseason training. Dahrel Tchitchi, the 17-year-old German defender who joined from 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 and is now part of Club NXT U23, is also part of the group.
In addition, several players from the first team will have the opportunity to see playing time. Among others, Nicolò Tresoldi, Carlos Forbs, Hugo Vetlesen, and Hugo Siquet are among the players who could see action on Saturday. Simon Mignolet, Dani van den Heuvel, and Aleksandar Stanković, on the other hand, are no longer part of the club following their departures this summer.
THE OPPONENT
Michiel Jonckheere is at the helm of KV Kortrijk. The former assistant coach and ex-youth player for Club Brugge is starting his second season as head coach of the West Flemish club. Last season, he immediately led the Kerels back to the Jupiler Pro League, just one year after their relegation. Kortrijk finished as runner-up in the Challenger Pro League with 67 points, securing direct promotion. Thierry Ambrose played a key role as the top scorer with fourteen goals and the assist leader with twelve assists.
Notably, the two teams will also face off on the opening day of the new Jupiler Pro League. On Friday, August 7, Blauw-Zwart and KV Kortrijk will meet once again. The visitors began their preseason preparations on June 11—more than two weeks earlier than Blauw-Zwart—though they had also played their last league match on April 17. Saturday will bring an interesting first test for both teams as they gear up for the new season.
With Jellert Van Landschoot, Brecht Dejaegere, Lenn De Smet, and Liam De Smet, the club has four players with a history at Club Brugge.
THE REFEREE
Jasper Vitse will be the referee on duty Saturday for Blauw-Zwart’s first preseason match against KV Kortrijk. He will be assisted on the sidelines by assistant referees Kevin Debeuckelaere and Jordy Vermeire.