Belgium World Cup Preview: One Last Run for Aging Generation
Belgium finished third in 2018 and pushed France to the brink in the semifinals, but its golden generation wants gold medals to validate its era.
It’s not necessarily now or never for Belgium, but there’s no guarantee that a golden generation like this will come around again. And even now, many of those stars are either out of form (Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard) or past their prime (Jan Vertonghen and Dries Mertens). Still, no one would be surprised to see Belgium in the final—or win it, for that matter—after two solid World Cup runs that ended against World Cup finalists in Argentina and France.
At the last World Cup, Belgium came away with its best all-time finish (third) but was left wanting more in Russia after losing 1–0 in a tight semifinal match to eventual champion France. After losing to eventual Euro champion Italy in the Euro 2020 quarterfinals, its close-but-no cigar recent history was only compounded when it fell to France in the UEFA Nations League semifinals, blowing a 2–0 lead in epic fashion last October.
But Belgium will come into Qatar with some confidence and at No. 2 in the most recent FIFA world ranking. Roberto Martínez will surely have this group ready—Belgium has never missed a quarterfinal at a major tournament with him at the helm—as this golden generation makes its final World Cup stand.
Group F Schedule (all times Eastern)
- Canada, Nov. 23, 2 p.m.
- Morocco, Nov. 27, 8 a.m.
- Croatia, Dec. 1, 10 a.m.
Coach
Roberto Martínez, hired in August 2016
David Davies/PA Images/Imago Images
Players to Watch
Kevin De Bruyne, midfielder
From his playmaking abilities to his impressive work rate, the Manchester City star is one of the best midfielders in the world and is coming off a career year that recently landed him a third-place finish in Ballon d’Or voting. The 31-year-old has won plenty at the club level, but he will be hungry to get a trophy for Belgium in what will be the last World Cup of his prime. Qatar will be De Bruyne’s third World Cup and he comes in with two goals and four assists for Belgium on the World Cup stage (as part of his 25 goals and 40 career assists for the national team). De Bruyne will have all eyes on him after making the 2018 World Cup Dream Team in Russia and will be expected to lead the Red Devils deep into the tournament.
Thibaut Courtois, goalkeeper
The Real Madrid keeper is hoping to add a World Cup trophy to a trophy-filled year that also saw him win La Liga and the Champions League, the latter of which featured an all-time performance in goal in the final vs. Liverpool. The 30-year-old has recorded five career clean sheets at the World Cup and could become Belgium’s all-time appearance leader in the competition with a deep run in Qatar. With Belgium’s aging defense, a lot of pressure could fall on Courtois, especially in the knockout stage, But Courtois will be used to the spotlight by now after taking home the Golden Glove award in 2018 as the best keeper at the World Cup.
Romelu Lukaku, forward
The Inter Milan star is Belgium’s all-time leading goalscorer and it’s not even close—after Lukaku’s 68 goals is Eden Hazard with 33. His four goals at the 2018 World Cup also made Lukaku the country’s top scorer at a single World Cup. However, the 29-year-old has struggled with a series of injuries over the last year and his World Cup may be limited by a hamstring problem. Martínez called him “irreplaceable,” and that’s exactly what he has been as the spearhead of this generation.
David Catry/Sportpix/Imago Images
Breakout Candidate
Jérémy Doku, winger
While much of the national team is made up of Belgium’s golden generation, Doku represents the country’s bright future. With lightning speed and a penchant for entertaining, the winger is a star in the making. Doku can run past just about anyone while his dribbling skills have caught the world’s attention. In front of goal, the Rennes forward seems to work even faster with footwork and a killer’s instinct that is reminiscent of a young Lionel Messi. The 20-year-old has already made 10 appearances for the national team, but his recent past has been hampered by injuries. If he’s at full strength, it would be no surprise to see Doku as the breakout star of Qatar.
World Cup History
- 14th appearance
- Last appearance: 2018 (Semifinals)
- Best finish: Third-place finish in 2018
Outlook and Expectations
With such a deep and experienced team, Belgium should be expected to make another deep run. However, Group F will be far from a cakewalk with 2018 World Cup runner-up Croatia awaiting in the final match that many expect to determine the group winner. And then there’s a Canadian side that looks like a wildcard and should be expected to come out of the gates firing in its first World Cup game since 1986.
And if Belgium makes it out of the group stage like it is expected to do, a potential meeting with Spain or Germany awaits regardless of whether Belgium finishes first or second. The Red Devils have won 10 of their last 12 World Cup matches and took down giants like Brazil and England in 2018, but the road to their first World Cup final will be difficult in Qatar. Their high-octane attack will have to be firing on all cylinders to make up for any defensive shortcomings.
World Cup Squad
GOALKEEPERS: Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge)
DEFENDERS: Toby Alderweireld (Royal Antwerp), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Leander Dendoncker (Aston Villa), Wout Faes (Leicester), Arthur Theate (Rennes), Jan Vertonghen (Benfica), Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund), Timothy Castagne (Leicester)
MIDFIELDERS: Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund), Amadou Onana (Everton), Youri Tielemans (Belgium), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid),
FORWARDS: Michy Batshuayi (Fenerbahce), Charles De Ketelaere (AC Milan), Jérémy Doku (Rennes), Eden Hazard (Real Madrid), Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan), Dries Mertens (Galatasaray), Loïs Openda (Lens), Leandro Trossard (Brighton)
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