2023–24 Belgian Cup Explained

Belgian Cup
Year:2023–24
Country:Belgium
Dates:29 July 2023 – 9 May 2024
Num Teams:356
Winners:Union SG
Second:Antwerp
Matches:313
Prev Season:2022–23
Next Season:2024–25

The 2023–24 Belgian Cup, called the Croky Cup for sponsorship reasons, was the 69th season of Belgium's annual football cup competition. The competition began on 29 July 2023 and ended with the final on 9 May 2024. The winners qualified for the 2024–25 UEFA Europa League play-off round. Match times up to 29 October 2023 and from 31 March 2024 were CEST (UTC+2). Times on interim ("winter") days were CET (UTC+1). Antwerp were the defending cup holders.

Union SG won the cup on 9 May 2024 (their third Belgian Cup win), defeating Antwerp 1–0 in the final.

Competition format

The competition consists of eleven proper rounds. All rounds are single-match elimination rounds. When tied after 90 minutes in the first four rounds, penalties will be taken immediately. From round five, when tied after 90 minutes first an extra time period of 30 minutes will be played, then penalties are to be taken if still necessary.

Teams will enter the competition in different rounds, based upon their 2023–24 league affiliation. Teams from the fifth-level Belgian Division 3 or lower will begin in round 1, with the exception of sixteen teams from the Belgian Provincial Leagues which were randomly drawn to start in the preliminary round. Belgian Division 2 teams entered in round 2, Belgian National Division 1 teams entered in round 3, Challenger Pro League teams in round 5 and finally the Belgian Pro League teams entered in round 6. U23 teams are not eligible for the Belgian Cup and will not enter the cup.

Round Clubs
remaining
Clubs
involved
Winners from
previous round
New entries
this round
Leagues entering at this round
Round 1 356 204 none 204 Belgian Provincial Leagues (204 teams)
Round 2 254 164 102 62 Belgian Division 3 (62 teams)
Round 3 172 132 82 50 Belgian Division 2 (50 teams)
Round 4 108 80 66 14 Belgian National Division 1 (14 teams)
Round 5 68 40 40 none none
Round 6 48 32 20 12 Challenger Pro League (12 teams)
Round 7 32 32 16 16 Belgian Pro League (16 teams)
Round 8 16 16 16 none none
Quarter-finals 8 8 8 none none
Semi-finals 4 4 4 none none
Final 2 2 2 none none

Round and draw dates

RoundDraw dateMatch dates
First round26 June 202329–31 July 2023
Second round4–6 August 2023
Third round11–13 August 2023
Fourth round18–20 August 2023
Fifth round25–27 August 2023
Sixth round8–10 September 2023
Seventh round1–2 November 2023
Eighth round5–7 December 2023
Quarter-finalsDecember 2023
Semi-finalsLeg 1: 23–25 January 2024
Leg 2: 23–25 February 2024
Final9 May 2024

First round

This round of matches was played on the weekend of 29 to 31 July 2023[1] and included 204 teams playing in the Belgian Provincial Leagues.

For this initial round, teams were split into ten groups according to geolocation.

GroupNumber of teamsTeams from
Group 126Antwerp
Group 224Flemish Brabant (23) and East Flanders (1)
Group 320Limburg
Group 426East Flanders
Group 522West Flanders
Group 616Walloon Brabant
Group 714Namur
Group 820Hainaut
Group 916Luxembourg (15) and Namur (1)
Group 1020Liège
TieHome team (tier)ScoreAway team (tier)
Group 1
1 Mortsel (7) 0–4 Tisselt (6)
2 Retie (6) 2–1 Loenhout (6)
3 Kontich (6) 3–0 Zammel (9)
4 Brasschaat (7) 2–3 'sGravenwezel-Schilde (6)
5 Duffel (7) 2–3 Ternesse Wommelgem (6)
6 Hoboken (6) 2–3 Ekeren Donk (9)
7 Wilrijk (7) 3–0 Zoersel (7)
8 Meer (8) 1–3 Antonia (6)
9 De Kempen (6) 4–1 Olmen (7)
10 St Dymphna Geel (7) 1–1 Zonhoven (6)
11 Wijnegem (8) 2–0 Herselt (7)
12 Olen United (9) 2–3 Zwijndrecht (7)
13 Schriek (8) 0–0 Kalfort Puursica (8)
Group 2
14 Binkom (8) 0–7 Rotselaar (6)
15 Wijgmaal (6) 2–3 Bierbeek (6)
16 Sterrebeek (8) 3–3 Tielt-Winge (8)
17 Alken (7) 3–2 Ritterklub Jette (8)
18 Linden (6) 0–1 Herent (6)
19 Kampenhout (6) 6–1 Hekelgem (7)
20 Rhode-De Hoek (7) 4–0 Vilvoorde (8)
21 Mazenzele Opwijk (6) 2–3 Galmaarden (8)
22 Landen (7) 3–1 Drieslinter (8)
23 Perk Steenokkerzeel (8) 0–0 Zuun (8)
24 Boutersem (8) 2–2 Veltem (7)
25 Fenixx (6) 2–2 Eppegem (6)
Group 3
26 Nieuwerkerken (8) 0–0 's Herenelderen (7)
27 Meeuwen (6) 0–1 Eendracht Maasmechelen (6)
28 Herkol (6) 0–3 Bree-Beek (6)
29 Achel (6) 2–0 Genker VV (8)
30 Overpelt (7) 3–0 Koersel (6)
31 Opoeteren (8) 0–6 Beringen (6)
32 Houthalen (9) 1–15 Torpedo Hasselt (6)
33 Zonhoven (8) 0–3 Vlijtingen (7)
34 Kattenbos (7) 0–0 Herk (6)
35 Smeermaas-Lanaken (8) 2–0 Biesen B (8)
Group 4
36 Berlare (6) 3–0 Sint-Niklaas (7)
37 Volkegem (7) 2–4 Borsbeke (6)
38 Eine (7) 3–1 Poesele (7)
39 Denderhoutem (6) 3–1 Bellem (8)
40 Svelta Melsele B (8) 8–0 Eendracht Zele (9)
41 Svelta Melsele (6) 1–1 S.K. Beveren (6)
42 Haasdonk (6) 1–0 Kleit Maldegem (6)
43 Gijzel-Oosterzele (8) 0–4 Destelbergen (6)
44 Vlaamse Ardennen (6) 1–0 Jong Zulte (8)
45 Heikant Zele (7) 1–2 Grembergen (7)
46 Zeveren (6) 1–7 Zottegem (6)
47 Doorslaar (6) 4–2 Munkzwalm (6)
48 Mariakerke (8) 0–8 Drongen (6)
TieHome team (tier)ScoreAway team (tier)
Group 5
49 WS Lauwe (6) 2–0 Houthulst (7)
50 Wevelgem (6) 3–2 Varsenare (6)
51 Diksmuide (6) 5–0 FF Zwevezele (9)
52 Zonnebeke (7) 1–0 Moen (6)
53 Daring Brugge (7) 3–5 Ardooie (6)
54 Racing Waregem (6) 5–0 FF Westrozebeke (6)
55 Dottingnies (6) 3–1 Ruddervoorde B (9)
56 Bredene (6) 1–2 Rumbeke (6)
57 Geluwe (8) 0–2 Oostnieuwkerke (6)
58 Meulebeke (6) 1–2 Heestert (6)
59 Boezinge (6) 4–2 Zedelgem (6)
Group 6
60 Willers-la-Ville (7) 2–3 Etterbeek (7)
61 BX Brussels (6) 2–0 Ixelles (6)
62 Genappe (6) 4–3 Saint-Michel (6)
63 Nseth Berchem (6) 5–0 FF Alliance Evere (7)
64 Saint-Josse (6) 0–1 Walhain (7)
65 Léopold (6) 1–1 Auderghem (6)
66 Kosova Schaerbeek (6) 1–1 Sporting Bruxelles (6)
67 Jodoigne (8) 3–1 Grez-Doiceau (6)
Group 7
68 Evelette 1–0 Meux II
69 Grand-Leez 3–3 Loyers
70 Petigny 1–1 Flavion-Morialmé
71 US Dinantaise 2–0 Fernelmont-Hemptinne
72 Chevetonnge 0–1 Profondeville
73 Biesme 3–0 Nimses
74 Spy 2–2 Condruzien
Group 8
75 Isièroine 1–1 Luingnois
76 WSAC Fleurus 1–0 Thumaide
77 Péruwelz 4–0 Jumet
78 Hyon 0–4 Gilly
79 Houndinois 2–0 Havré
80 Antoing 2–1 Obigies
81 Anvaing 1–0 Molenbaix
82 Hornu 2–0 Naast
83 Montignies 3–0 Mons II
84 Estaimbourg 5–1 Morlanwelz
Group 9
85 Paliseulois 3–1 Freylangeoise
86 Ochamps 3–4 Messancy
87 Beauraing 2–0 Saint-Mard
88 Bleid 0–0 Bastogne
89 Libramont 3–1 Arlon
90 Oppagne-Weris 2–2 Houffaloise
91 Roy-Lignières 2–1 Assenois
92 Ethe Belmont 5–0 Vaux
Group 10
93 Heusy Rouheid 4–1 Seraing
94 Oreye Union 1–4 Saive
95 Ans Montegnee 1–1 Richelle II
96 La Calamine II 0–1 Francorchamps
97 Aubel 1–3 FC Du Geer
98 Malmundaria 5–4 Croatia Wandre
99 Honsfeld 2–3 Hannut
100 Fizoise 6–4 Amel
101 Butgenbach 0–1 Wanze/Bas-Oha II
102 Wasseiges 1–2 Beaufays

Second round

TieHome team (tier)ScoreAway team (tier)
103 St Dymphna Geel (7) 0–0 Zwijndrecht (7)
104 Wilrijk (7) 3–2 Perk Steenokkerzeel (8)
105 De Kempen (6) 8–1 Tielt-Winge (8)
106 Ternesse Wommelgem (6) 0–1 Antonia (6)
107 Galmaarden (8) 0–2 Diest
108 Turnhout 5–0 Herselt (7)
109 Bierbeek (6) 2–1 Eksel
110 Pelt 3–2 Kontich (6)
111 Eendracht Termien 5–0 Ekeren Donk (9)
112 Kampenhout (6) 1–3 Wellen
113 Kalfort Puursica (8) 3–2 Berg en Dal
114 Rhode-De Hoek (7) 0–1 Geel
115 Alken (7) 0–2 'sGravenwezel-Schilde (6)
116 Nijlen 1–2 Landen (7)
117 Retie (6) 2–2 Schoonbeek-Beverst
118 Zwarte Leeuw 1–2 Herent (6)
119 Rotselaar (6) 0–3 St.-Lennaarts
120 Witgoor Sport Dessel 1–2 Tisselt (6)
121 Denderhoutem (6) 1–1 Vlijtingen (7)
122 Torpedo Hasselt (6) 2–2 Zepperen-Brustem
123 Svelta Melsele (6) 2–3 Destelbergen (6)
124 Overpelt (7) 2–4 Achel (6)
125 Eppegem (6) 2–1 Veltem (7)
126 Smeermaas-Lanaken (8) 0–0 Betekom
127 Bree-Beek (6) 7–1 Nieuwerkerken (8)
128 Eine (7) 0–5 Crossing Schaerbeek
129 Pepingen-Halle 2–0 Berlare (6)
130 Svelta Melsele B (8) 1–2 Jodoigne
131 Taminoise 0–1 Haasdonk (6)
132 Entite Manageooise 3–2 Borsbeke (6)
133 Beringen (6) 0–2 Perwez
134 Branois 1–0 Eendracht Maasmechelen (6)
135 Wambeek Ternat 2–1 Herk (6)
136 Wevelgem (6) 1–1 Léopold (6)
137 Elene-Grotenberge 3–0 BX Brussels (6)
138 Zonnebeke (7) 1–1 Jodoigne (8)
139 Wielsbeke 4–0 Ardooie (6)
140 Kosova Schaerbeek (6) 0–1 Zottegem (6)
141 Dottingnies (6) 0–1 WS Lauwe (6)
142 Racing Waregem (6) 1–1 Jong Lede
143 Hoger Op Wolvertem Merchtem 4–0 Doorslaar (6)
144 Vigor Wuitens Hamme 2–0 Rumbeke (6)
145 Westhoek 3–3 Etterbeek (7)
146 Oostnieuwkerke (6) 0–4 Genappe (6)
147 Eendracht Wervik 1–2 Diksmuide (6)
148 Boezinge (6) 0–1 Blankenberge
149 Eendracht Aalter 4–1 Drongen (6)
150 Roeselare-Daisel 3–0 Grembergen (7)
151 Hoger Op Kalken 3–1 Vlaamse Ardennen (6)
152 Avanti Stekene 1–1 Heestert (6)
153 Walhain (7) 1–1 Erpe-Mere Untied
154 St-Denijs Sport 4–0 Nseth Berchem (6)
155 Profondeville 0–4 Biesme
156 Gilly 0–1 Beloeil
157 Isièroine 0–4 Flenu
158 Aischoise 5–1 Evelette
159 Ostiches 2–0 US Dinantaise
160 Houndinois 2–2 Hornu
161 Péruwelz 3–1 Couvin
162 Onhaye 10–0 Anvaing
163 Arquet 1–3 Montignies
164 Spy 2–1 Estaimbourg
165 Antoing 3–1 Rapid Symphorinois
166 Flavion-Morialmé 6–1 WSAC Fleurus
167 Grand-Leez 1–3 Monceau
168 Wanze/Bas-Oha II 1–10 Richelle
169 Fizoise 2–1 Malmundaria
170 Richelle II 0–7 Wanze-Bas/Oha
171 Raeren-Eynatten 7–3 Heusy Rouheid
172 Francorchamps 1–0 Stade Waremmnien
173 Wallonne Ciney 2–1 Saive
174 Marlouie Sport 7–3 Bleid
175 Elsautoise 2–4 Beauraing
176 FC Du Geer 0–4 Sprimont
177 Gouvy 4–0 Roy-Lignières
178 Herstal 0–1 Beaufays
179 Ethe Belmont 2–1 Huy
180 Aywaille 1–1 Hannut
181 Houffaloise 2–2 Mormont
182 Libramont 1–3 Meix DT-Virton
183 Habay La Neuve 6–2 Messancy
184 Longlier 4–1 Paliseulois

Third round

TieHome team (tier)ScoreAway team (tier)
185 Tempo Overijse1–1(3-2)pHerent (6)
186 Meux2–0 Hoger Op Kalken
187 Ostiches3–1 Londerzeel
188 Péruwelz0–0(3-1)pOnhaye
189 Ninove2–0 Wallonne Ciney
190 La Calaminep1–1 WS Lauwe (6)
191 Rochefortoise5–0Etterbeek (7)
192 Léopold (6) 1–3 Sprimont
193 Tournai 5–0 Longlier
194 Wanze-Bas/Ohap0–0Voorde-Appelterre
195 Zelzate 8–1 Vlijtingen (7)
196 Hamoir2–1Retie (6)
197 Aalst1-0Gouvy
198 Flenu 1–3Roeselare-Daisel
199 Ethe Belmont2–1Antoing
200 Beaufays 2–1 Flavion-Morialmé
201 Diest2–0Meix DT-Virton
202 Rupel Boom3–1Fizoise
203 Erpe-Mere Unitedp2–2Raeren-Eynatten
204 Monceau3–2Lille United
205 Tisselt (6) 2–2 (3–5 p) Vigor Wuitens Hamme
206 Verlainep0–0Landen (7)
207 Beloeil 0–6Acren-Lessines
208 Jodoigne LS 0–1Marlouie Sport
209 Perwezp0–0Torpedo Hasselt (6)
210 Berchem Sport2–1Antonia (6)
211 Sottegem (6) 2–3Montignies
212 Wilrijk (7) 1–2Brakel
213 Brainep1–1Wambeek Ternat
214 Bucholtp1–1Blankenberge
215 Binche4–1Smeermaas-Lanaken (8)
216 Wezel Sport10-0Jodoigne (8)
217 Destelbergen (6)2–1Beauraing
218 Habay La Neuvep2–2Geel
219 Genappe (6) 1–1pHoger Op Wolvertem Merchtem
220 Torhout 1–3Pelt
221 Wellen2–1Pepingen-Halle
222 Racing Gent 3–0 Houndinois
223 Jette2–0'sGravenwezel-Schilde (6)
224 Crossing Schaerbeek2–1Hasselt
225 Francorchamps 2–2pLebbeke
226 Spy 2–4 Ganshoren
227 Rebecq10–0Kalfort Puursica (8)
228 Zwijndrecht (7) 1–2Oudenaarde
229 Haasdonk (6)p2–2Tubize
230 Mandel United 1–1pElene-Grotenberge
231 Houtvenne2–1Avanti Stekene
232 Mons 11–0 Bierbeek (6)
233 Eppegem (6) 0–3Tongeren
234 Merelbeke2–0Turnhout
235 Diksmuide (6) 2–3Wetteren
236 Richelle 2–5Oostkamp
237 Wielsbeke 1–5 Dikkelvenne
238 Sparta Petegem1–0Aywaille
239 Houffaloise 0–5Racing Mechelen
240 Eendracht Aalter 0–1Stockay-Warfusee
241 De Kempen (6) 1–5Bilzen
242 Diegem 3–0 Bree-Beek (6)
243 Verviers1–0Biesme
244 Aische 1–1pCity Pirates Antwerp
245 Entite Manageooise 2–2pLa Louviere Centre
246 Lierse Berlaar 1–1pAchel (6)
247 Sint-Denijs Sport 0–1Harelbeke
248 Sint-Lennaarts3–2Gullegem
249 Hades3–0Racing Waregem (6)
250 Eendracht Termien 1–2Warnan

Fourth round

TieHome team (tier)ScoreAway team (tier)
251Warnant5–0Tempo Overijse
252Wellen0–1Monceau
253Houtvenne2–2pPelt
254Ninove3–1Erpe-Mere United
255Meux3–0Achel (6)
256Braine0–5VW Hamme
257Cappellen1–1pVerviers
258Hades1–2Tongeren
259City Pirates Antwerp2–3Sprimont
260Crossing Schaerbeek4–2Heist
261Olympic Charleroi1–0La Louviere Centre
262Bocholt3–3pExcelsior Virton
263Racing Mechelen10–0Montignies
264Tienen2–2pMons
265Oudenaarde4–0Beaufays
266Dikkelvenne1–3Harelbeke
267Union Namur0–5Roeselare-Daisel
268Bilzenp1–1Wolvertem Merchtem
269Wezel4–2Olsa Brakel
270Habay La Neuve2–0Destelbergen (6)
271Elene-Grotenberge5–4Sparta Petegem
272Acren-Lessines1–3Thes
273URSL Vise3–0Tournai
274Diegem2–3Aalst
275Ganshorenp2–2Zelzate
276Knokke2–1La Calamine
277Binche8–0Haasdonk (6)
278Hoogstraten VVp1–1Ostiches
279Ethe Belmont0–4Berchem Sport
280Rebecq1–0Lebbeke
281Sint-Lennaarts1–0Racing Gent
282Jette2–3Onhaye
283Dessel Sport4–2Wetteren
284Perwez1–5Merelbeke
285Stockay-Warfusee0–1Hamoir
286Wanze-Bas/Oha0–8La Louviere
287Sint-Eloois-Winkel Sport1–1pRochefort
288Diest0–1Marlouie Sport
289Lokeren-Temse6–0Verlaine
290Oostkamp1–2Rupel Boom

Fifth round

TieHome team (tier)ScoreAway team (tier)
291Warnant0–1Lokeren-Temse
292La Louviere2–1Sprimont
293Elene-Grotenberge4–3Wezel
294Harelbeke2–1VW Hamme
295Verviers2–3Crossing Schaerbeek
296Onhaye3–0Rebecq
297Ninove2–0Roeselare-Daisel
298Dessel Sport1–2Tongeren
299Hoogstraten VV3–2Bilzen
300Meux4–1Marlouie Sport
301Thes4–0Hamoir
302Knokke3–0Merelbeke
303Rochefort1–2Racing Mechelen
304Habay La Neuvep0–0Oudenaarde
305Aalst0–1Mons
306URSL Vise2–1Binche
307Rupel Boom2–3Olympic Charleroi
308Pelt2–2pExcelsior Virton
309Sint-Lennaarts1–0Berchem Sport
310Monceau2–2pGanshoren

Seventh round

The draw for the seventh round took place on 11 September 2023 and included the sixteen teams that progressed from the sixth round and the sixteen teams from the 2023–24 Belgian Pro League. The Pro League teams were seeded and could not meet each other. Furthermore, the eight non-professional teams left in the draw were always entitled to home-ground advantage, with the exception of Harelbeke, Meux and Elene-Grotenberge as their respective home grounds were not deemed suitable to host a cup match at this stage.

Eighth round

The draw for the eighth round took place on 2 November 2023, one day after the completion of the previous round. No more seedings were used during the draw, but before the draw Knokke was certain of receiving home-ground advantage as the only non-professional team left in the draw. Most notable fixtures of the draw include a Clasico to be played between Anderlecht and Standard, the return of former captain Ruud Vormer to Club Brugge as they received his new team Zulte Waregem, and saw Knokke receive Oud-Heverlee Leuven. Title holders Antwerp were paired at home to Charleroi, who have yet to win the cup.

Quarter-finals

The draw for the quarter-finals and semi-finals took place on 8 December 2023. With no amateur sides left, the draw was fully open as there were no seedings or predetermined home advantages. The draw resulted in a "Battle of Flanders" between Gent and Club Brugge and a Brussels derby between Union SG and Anderlecht. The matches at Union SG and OH Leuven were postponed due to snow.[2]

Semi-finals

The four quarter-final winners entered the semi-finals, held over two legs. The first legs were initially planned to be played one week after the quarter-finals, but as some of those matches were postponed the semi-finals were postponed as well.[2]

Second legs

Final

See main article: 2024 Belgian Cup final.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rounds_P_to_3 . Royal Belgian Football Association . 26 June 2023.
  2. Web site: Bekermatchen Union-Anderlecht en OHL-Antwerp worden uitgesteld, Oostende en RWDM voetballen wel. sporza.be. nl. 17 January 2024.