Doha, November 07 (QNA) – Passionate players and an experienced coach, Belgium is an extraordinary candidate to win the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 title, for the first time in its history, after failing in 13 previous world cup editions.
After losing (0-1) against France in the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 semi-finals, Spanish coach Roberto Martinez, seeks to repeat the 2018 attempt and beyond, in stive for the cup.
Belgium’s ability to achieve the title and bypass the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will depend on whether the team manages to put on a good show such as the one they did in the qualifiers, as well as their mastery of the final touch.
Experts place Belgium among the candidates to win the cup, due to the prominent stars in its ranks, most notably goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who is enhancing his reputation in Real Madrid, Kevin De Bruyne, the Manchester City playmaker, and Eden Hazard, who is making a comeback, and the great striker Romelu Lukaku and defenders crusher, and last but not least the dangerous Moussa Dembele.
Belgium is competing in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Group F, which includes Croatia, the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 runner-up, as well as Morocco and Canada, whose participation is a first since 1986.
Belgium will start its World Cup campaign against Canada on November 23 at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, then meet Morocco on November 27 at Al Thumama Stadium, to conclude its group stage campaign with Croatia on December 1 at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
The Royal Belgian Football Association chose the Hilton Salwa Beach Resort and villas, to be the teams headquarters during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, whilst it will train at the Salwa Training Site.
Belgium qualifying for this years world cup is well deserved, after taking the lead in the fifth group in the European qualifiers with 20 points, winning in six matches and drawing in two, whilst maintaining its unbeaten record.
The Royal Belgian Football Association was established in 1904. The country has taken part in the World Cup tournaments fourteen times, yet it never succeeded in winning the world cup. However, what is considered its best achievement was finishing third place in the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018, and fourth place in the FIFA World Cup Mexico 1986.
Belgium played 48 matches in the World Cup finals during its previous thirteen participation, managing to achieve 20 wins, 9 draws and 19 losses, with it scoring 68 goals, and having 72 goals scored against it.
At the European level, the Belgian national team participated in the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) championships finals, six times, the first was in 1972 when it finished third after defeating Hungary.
The best participation for Belgium was in UEFA EURO 1980 in Italy, when it lost the title in the finale against Germany in the last two minutes of the match, scoring (1-2).
Despite the distinguished formation of the Belgium team, which was a candidate to win the title in the last two editions of the UEFA Euro 2016 and 2020, the teams march always came to an end at the quarter-finals due to the team players lack of experience and weakness in scoring.
The Belgium team included many prominent stars throughout its history, led by Bernard Voorhoof, Paul van Himst, Joseph Mermans, Robert De Veen, Eric Gerets, and Koen Casteels.
The current Belgium squad includes a distinguished group of players, led by Romelu Lukaku, the country’s historical scorer with 40 goals, and Jan Vertonghen, the most participating player in international matches with 107 games, as well as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, captain Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Moussa Dembele. (QNA)