Can Belgium improve on their third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup by winning their first title in Qatar?
Despite their somewhat underwhelming recent form, Belgium remains one of the dark horses to win the 2022 World Cup, despite being world number one between September 2018 and February 2021.
The Red Devils have appeared in 13 World Cups but have yet to win the coveted trophy, with a third-place finish in Russia in 2018 their best-ever result.
Thibaut Courtois, Jan Vertonghen, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and captain Eden Hazard appear to be nearing the end of their careers, but Belgium’s Golden Generation will have one last chance in Qatar.
Belgium were paired with Canada, Croatia and Morocco in the group stages and will fancy their chances of reaching the round of 16.
GettyGOALKEEPERS
The best goalkeeper of the 2018 World Cup, Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois, will want to become the first shot-stopper to retain the Golden Glove.
Simon Mignolet gets the nod as deputy, with Koen Casteels set to be the third goalkeeper on the plane.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| Thibaut Courtois | Real Madrid |
| Simon Mignolet | Club Brugge |
| Koen Casteels | Wolfsburg
|
GettyDEFENDERS
Former Tottenham men Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld are the most experienced among Belgium’s defensive options, which also includes Dortmund’s Thomas Meunier and Timothy Castagne of Leicester City.
Another Foxes man, Wout Faes, makes the grade while Anderlecht wonderkid Zeno Debast could be considered a surprise inclusion.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| Toby Alderweireld | Antwerp |
| Arthur Theate | Rennes |
| Zeno Debast | Anderlecht |
| Jan Vertonghen | Anderlecht |
| Thomas Meunier | Dortmund |
| Timothy Castagne | Leicester City |
| Wout Faes | Leicester City |
Getty ImagesMIDFIELDERS
Belgium have a plethora of talent in the midfield department.
Axel Witsel, Kevin De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans are the household names joined by Yannick Carrasco, Leandro Trossard et al.
Everton’s Amadou Onana and Dortmund’s Thorgan Hazard also get the nod, but Sevilla’s Adnan Januzaj misses out.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| Axel Witsel | Atletico Madrid |
| Kevin De Bruyne | Manchester City |
| Youri Tielemans | Leicester City |
| Yannick Carrasco | Atletico Madrid |
| Leandro Trossard | Brighton |
| Amadou Onana | Everton |
| Leander Dendoncker | Aston Villa |
| Hans Vanaken | Club Brugge |
| Thorgan Hazard | Dortmund |
Getty ImagesATTACKERS
Romelu Lukaku is Belgium’s all-time top goalscorer with 68 and would normally have been a certainty.
The Inter man has been battling injury problems throughout the 2022-23 campaign, though, gets the nod despite being set to miss the first couple of games.
Eden Hazard will be there regardless of his form for Real Madrid, while Dries Mertens is another vastly experienced performer.
There’s plenty of fresh attacking talent coming through as well, though, with Charles De Ketelaere and Jeremy Doku all getting the green light.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| Lois Openda | Lens |
| Eden Hazard | Real Madrid |
| Dries Mertens | Galatasaray |
| Charles De Ketelaere | AC Milan |
| Michy Batshuayi | Fenerbahce |
| Romelu Lukaku | Inter |
| Jeremy Doku | Rennes |
