A golden generation of talent, as the phrase suggests, only comes around once in a while and it’s now or never for the Red Devils to live up to their billing on the biggest stage. Most of the country’s big name players are at or approaching the peak of their powers in terms of age.
Form, too, is in their favour. For example, the stock of Premier League-winning Kevin De Bruyne could not be higher, while other linchpins like Tottenham duo Mousa Dembele – who has returned to the international fold – and Jan Vertonghen have once again demonstrated their class.
England’s top-flight is the breeding ground for the cream of Belgium’s talent to flourish and grow into some of the best players the world has to offer.
However, there is a school of thought that the tiring and nonstop nature of a league without a winter break – where most of Belgium’s stars reside – could have an effect this summer, especially when you take into account the responsibility both Manchester United and Chelsea have placed on the shoulders of Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard respectively over the past nine months.
And don’t forget this is the same team that ran out of gas at Euro 2016 when they were knocked out by plucky Wales in the quarter-finals. That said, Belgium are in the type of position heading into football’s showpiece which makes most other nations envious.
Their qualification record has been superb, with nine wins from 10 and their third place ranking in the world standings certainly reflects that kind of pedigree. That form has given Roberto Martinez the chance to figure out his best XI in a 5-2-2-1 formation, with flying wing-backs, which was unfavoured at first, but seems to be the way forward for the Spaniard’s outfit.
Known to tinker, he has also deployed a 3-4-3 and 4-2-3-1 of late, with the latter of those another system he could lean towards should everyone be fit. The motivation, as if it were needed for Belgium’s players, is pretty clear – progress at least beyond the quarter-finals and then see where it goes from there.
No team in the country’s history has gone further than the last eight and you get the feeling that they won’t have a better opportunity to do just that in their 13th finals appearance.
They have landed in a favourable group, with wins against Panama and Tunisia almost a certainty, while the showdown with England will see many club team-mates come up against one another.
KEY PLAYER
Kevin De Bruyne
Talisman: Kevin de Bruyne.
After the season of his life at the Etihad Stadium, the versatile playmaker has catapulted himself into the top echelon of the world’s best players. He will be desperate to cement his status as an all-time Belgian great.
COACH
Roberto Martinez
Belgium head coach was recently handed a new contract.
The respected Spaniard has silenced his doubters with a strong qualifying campaign and moved on from a sour ending at Everton. He needs to seize this opportunity of having a roll call of world-class talent at his disposal.
CAPTAIN
This tournament is a huge one for talisman Hazard.
The Stamford Bridge man will be pleased to be among his compatriots after a tough season, in which he was one of the few standouts for Chelsea. Hazard is used to shouldering great expectation, but now, he has to deliver.
YOUNG STAR
Leander Dendoncker
An opportunity to shine: Leander Dendoncker.
At 23, the Anderlecht midfielder has carved out an excellent reputation at home and has even attracted attention in the transfer market from Manchester United. Martinez is a big fan and should give him a chance.
KEY FACTS AND STATS
Ready to go: The full Belgium World Cup squad.
– Their nickname, Red Devils, partly came about when a Dutch journalist wrote the team ‘worked like devils’ following a match during the early 1900s.
– Belgium conceded just six goals in qualifying and scored 43 themselves against opposition. Impressive.
– An omen that doesn’t bode well. Belgium’s biggest international defeat came against an England Amateurs side in April 1909, where they were thumped 11-2.
FIFA Rating
84 DEF 82 MID 85 ATT
World Cups competed at
13 (First in 1930)
World Cup record
P41, W14, D9, L18
Best finish
Fourth Place (1986)
Qualification record
P10, W9, D1
World ranking
3
SQUAD
Towering presence: Jan Vertonghen.
Goalkeepers: T. Courtois (Chelsea), S. Mignolet (Liverpool), K. Casteels (VfL Wolfsburg)
Defenders: T. Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur), D. Boyata (Celtic), J. Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur), V. Kompany (Manchester City), T. Vermaelen (Barcelona), T. Meunier (PSG).
Midfielders: Y. Tielemans (AS Monaco), A. Witsel (Tianjin Quanjian), K. de Bruyne (Manchester City), M. Dembele (Tottenham Hotspur), L. Dendoncker (Anderlecht), M. Fellaini (Manchester United), T. Hazard (Borussia Monchengladbach), D. Mertens (Napoli), N. Chadli (West Brom).
Forwards: M. Batshuayi (Chelsea), R. Lukaku (Manchester United), E. Hazard (Chelsea), A. Januzaj (Real Sociedad), Y. Carrasco (Dalian Yifang).
VERDICT
A run to the semi-finals – but only if their important stars turn up and don’t disappoint like they did two years ago at Euro 2016.
