How will Belgium fare at the 2022 World Cup? Join @SamRCox_ as he looks at the Red Devils in his everything you need to know guide ahead of this winter's competition...
Belgium History at the World Cup
Qatar will be the 14th World Cup Belgium have taken part in and their third in succession after failing to quality for the 2006 and 2010 tournaments.
Their third-place finish in 2018 was the best they have ever performed at a World Cup, just beating their fourth place from 1986.
They have won 20 of their 48 World Cup matches all time, scoring 68 goals and conceding 72 in the process.
Belgium qualify for the 2022 World Cup 🇧🇪
— GOAL (@goal) November 13, 2021
𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. pic.twitter.com/8HxSDIT8Fg
Belgium recorded two of their three biggest wins in 2018, beating Tunisia and Panama by three goals apiece, matching their 3-0 triumph over El Salvador in 1970.
On five occasions, they have lost by three goals, the most recent of which was against Poland in 1982.
Three Belgian players (Jean-Marie Pfaff, Michel Preud’homme, Thibaut Courtois) have won the Golden Glove, while Eden Hazard took home the Silver Ball four years ago.
Enzo Scifo has the most World Cup appearances for the country with 17 (Courtois will likely match Scifo’s tally if Belgium reach the quarters in Qatar).
Belgium Nickname
Belgium’s most-used nickname is Die Roten Teufel, meaning ‘The Red Devils’, which was first used by a former manager over a century ago.
The English version of the nickname will be heard frequently throughout the tournament. Dutch and French versions of the name are also often used.
World Cup 2022 Group
Belgium were fortunate in the World Cup draw, being matched up with Canada, Morocco and Croatia in Group F. The Red Devils are clear live betting favourites in all three fixtures, and will expect to have six points from their first two fixtures.
Belgium Fixtures:
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Belgium vs Canada – 23rd November 2022
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Belgium vs Morocco – 27th November 2022
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Belgium vs Croatia – 1st December 2022
Belgium Kit World Cup 2022
It is easy to look a bit tacky when using fire on a football shirt – Adidas have avoided that here, embracing the Red Devils nickname for eye-catching flames on some smart-looking black sleeves.
Belgium's home kit for the World Cup 🔥 pic.twitter.com/P6YyLg07rB
— GOAL (@goal) September 19, 2022
The away kit is a beauty. A white base could have been dull, but Adidas have gone bright with a multi-coloured pattern on the sleeves, which was also used for the logos.
Who Is The Belgium Manager?
Roberto Martinez is the Belgium manager for the 2022 World Cup, a position he has held since 2016.
Martinez hasn’t won any silverware with the Golden Generation, but he took the Belgians to the last four of the 2018 World Cup and the Nations League Finals.
Winning well over 70% of his matches in charge, Martinez is the most successful manager in the country’s history.
Best Belgium Player
The best midfielder in the world and owner of the highest projected market value among all Belgians, Kevin De Bruyne is clearly Belgium’s best player.
While some big names have retired and others have begun to decline, Belgium still have an immensely talented squad around De Bruyne, including Thibaut Courtois, Youri Tielemans, Eden Hazard and Yannick Carrasco.
🗣 "Don't take for granted watching Kevin De Bruyne play."
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 23, 2022
Roberto Martinez calls Kevin De Bruyne's performance "magical" and feels lucky to have a player like him pic.twitter.com/Lk7xfm9AEW
Belgium Odds at 2022 World Cup
Belgium are the 1/2 favourites in World Cup betting to win Group F.
The Red Devils have an outside shot at lifting the trophy according to the bookies, with a price of 11/1 to go all the way. The most likely outcome, however, is a quarter final exit.
Les Diables rouges are also represented in the Golden Boot market, with Romelu Lukaku at 20s and Kevin De Bruyne at 50s.
Bet on Belgium at the 2022 World Cup with 888sport today!
