In what may be Roberto Martinez’s last tournament as Belgium’s manager, the ‘Golden Generation’ of Belgian soccer players could be on their last legs. Belgium is now regarded as the top men’s squad in the world by FIFA, behind only Brazil. However, after finishing in third place in Russia in 2018, it seems unlikely that they would be able to go on and win the tournament.
Time has just caught up with too many of the squad members, leaving only Thibaut Courtois and Kevin de Bruyne as truly world-class players still in their prime. Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Axel Witsel, Dries Mertens, Eden Hazard, and even Romelu Lukaku are all beyond their prime but still constitute a sizable portion of the team.
This is a complete guide to Belgium in time for the World Cup.
When does Belgium play in their first group stage match?
Comparing Belgium and Canada (November 23, 19:00 GMT)
Belgians vs. Moroccans (November 27, 13:00 GMT)
Belgium vs. Croatia (December 1, 15:00 GMT)
Belgium and Canadahave met once, and Belgium came out on top.
Three games have been played between Belgium and Morocco, with Belgium holding a 2-1 win-loss record.
H2H between Belgium and Croatia: 8 games played, 3 wins, 2 ties, and 3 losses.
Key players, injuries, strategies, and our forecast for the 2022 World Cup in Morocco
Key players, injuries, strategies, and our forecast for Canada’s performance in the 2022 World Cup in this comprehensive guide.
Key players, injuries, strategies, and our forecast for Croatia at the 2022 World Cup.
Who are Belgium’s 26 confirmed World Cup players?
Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid, Simon Mignolet of Club Brugge, and Koen Casteels of Anderlecht are the goalkeepers (Wolfsburg).
In the back line, we have players like Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Toby Alderweireld (Royal Antwerp), Wout Faes (Leicester City), Arthur Theate (Stade Rennais), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund), and Timothy Castagne (Borussia Monchengladbach) (Leicester City).
Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne, Everton’s Amadou Onana, Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans, Atletico Madrid’s Axel Witsel, Hans Vanaken, Aston Villa’s Leander Dendoncker, Atletico Madrid’s Yannick Carrasco, and Atletico Madrid’s Thorgan Hazard are just some of the midfielders in the league (Borussia Dortmund).
The front line includes Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard, AC Milan’s Charles De Ketelaere, Brighton’s Leandro Trossard, Galatasaray’s Dries Mertens, Stade Rennais’s Jeremy Doku, Inter’s Romelu Lukaku, Fenerbahce’s Michy Batshuayi, and Fenerce’s Lois OpOpenand Fenerbahce’s Michy Batshua (RC Lens).
Who among Belgium’s national team is injured and hence unable to participate in the World Cup?
Romelu Lukaku, who has played in only four games in Serie A this season due to injury, will be Belgium’s primary concern. After returning after a two-month absence due to a hamstring injury, the striker was sidelined again on October 29 after suffering a quad injury in a match against Sampdoria.
At this time, he is not available since he is under the care of the physicians. Roberto Martinez recently stated L’Equipe, “Romelu is a player we need if he iscanable to participate in one of the first three matches.”
Thomas Meunier, Dortmund’s right wingback, broke his cheekbone in their victory against Hannover on October 19, but he will be fine to participate in the competition. Potential challenger Alexis Saelemaekers will not be competing at all because of a knee ailment.
Who are the top players for Belgium?
League Path Group 4: The Netherlands vs. Belgium, UEFA Nations League
Belgium relies heavily on Kevin De Bruyne, who is shown above by ANP/Getty Images.
The Thibaut Courtois
The Real Madrid goalkeeper, who is often considered to be the finest in the world, may have his job cut out for him in Qatar.
Courtois, a 30-year-old with 96 matches for Belgium, is an integral member of the team. He made 27 saves in seven games at the 2014 World Cup, earning the tournament’s Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper.
De Bruyne, Kevin
When Eden Hazard, the team’s leader, is no longer at his best, Belgium’s reliance on Kevin De Bruyne’s exceptional talent becomes all the more apparent. To help his nation, the Manchester City star will operate higher up the field as a roaming playmaker. However, Belgium may gain more by having him play as one of the two central midfielders and bringing Leandro Trossard into the starting eleven.
De Bruyne’s importance to Roberto Martinez and Belgium lies not just in his goal-scoring prowess (25 in 93 games) but also in his ability to create scoring opportunities.
We’re talking about Romelu Lukaku here.
Romelu Lukaku, with more than 100 national team caps, is Belgium’s all-time leading scorer on the international stage. The 29-year-old has a total of 68 goals, 57 of which have come in his past 60 games for the Red Devils.
He scored four goals for Belgium at the 2018 World Cup, and he did the same thing again at the postponed Euro 2020. This shows that he can score big goals when it matters. Also, Lukaku is a versatile striker who can score from a variety of angles and seldom needs a second invitation to score when given the chance.
Although he is playing with an injury, he is still a formidable opponent if he is able to compete.
Predicted Belgian Starting XI
Thanks to Roberto Martinez’s consistent tactical style, Belgium should be one of the more predictable sides in the 2022 World Cup. They will use the same 3-4-3 formation they’ve used throughout his six years in command, and he’s not likely to make any major alterations to the starting lineup.
As a result of Lukaku’s injury, Michy Batshuayi will start in the middle of the field in place of Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, although the rest of the starting lineup in the midfield and defense is rather stable. The most difficult choice Martinez will have to make is probably which central defender to start alongside veteran Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen.
Zeno Debast, a 19-year-old center back for Anderlecht, started for his country’s national team in the Nations League matches against the Netherlands and Wales despite his lack of experience. Leander Dendoncker, normally playing in the central midfield, can be moved back to provide greater movement, but Martinez has other choices. Arthur ThTheatrea center back for Renne, may be the best option despite being more comfortable in a back four.
Courtois; Debast, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Meunier, Witsel, Tielemans, Carrasco; De Bruyne, Batshuayi, and Hazard are the expected starting eleven for Belgium.
Form of Belgium leading up to the World Cup
The 4-1 loss against the Netherlands at home in June sticks out, even if Belgium rallied to beat Poland 6-1 after falling behind. Since then, both the team and the football have been uninspired, despite two victories against Poland and Wales. There is little reason for hope after a tight 1-0 loss to the Netherlands in their most recent encounter (Virgil Van Dijk scored for the Dutch by heading in a corner).
PBeforeto their first encounter against Canada on November 29, Belgium will face Egypt in a friendly on November 18.
The past five results for Belgium
Poland and Belgium had a score of 6-1.
Welsh and Belgian scores are equal.
Belgium defeats Poland 2-1
Wales, 2-1 Belgium.
Final Score: Netherlands 1, Belgium 0
Predict Belgium’s final World Cup placement.
Overall, this Belgium squad is not as formidable as it once was, and it will be difficult for them to go as far as they did in Russia. Belgium has a relatively easy path through a group with Croatia and Morocco thanks to the playmaking skills of De Bruyne alone, but after that they might face either Spain or Germany.
Without a completely healthy and firing Lukaku, there isn’t enough of a goal threat for Belgium, who might be significantly exposed by a fast squad against Alderweireld and Vertonghen. Both prospective opponents are nightmarish matchups that this aging Belgian team is unlikely to emerge victorious from.
Foresight: Round of 16
