History
Formation and Early Years
The Belgium national football team has officially represented Belgium in men’s international football since their maiden match in 1904. The squad is under the global jurisdiction of FIFA and is governed in Europe by UEFA—both of which were co-founded by the Belgian team’s supervising body, the Royal Belgian Football Association.
Periods of regular Belgian representation at the highest international level, from 1920 to 1938, from 1980 to 2002 and again from 2014 onwards, have alternated with mostly unsuccessful qualification rounds. Most of Belgium’s home matches are played at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.
Belgium’s national team have participated in three quadrennial major football competitions. It appeared in the end stages of fourteen FIFA World Cups and six UEFA European Championships, and featured at three Olympic football tournaments, including the 1920 Summer Olympic which they won.
Other notable performances are victories over four reigning world champions—West Germany, Brazil, Argentina and France—between 1954 and 2002. Belgium has long-standing football rivalries with its Dutch and French counterparts, having played both teams nearly every year from 1905 to 1967.
Golden Generation
The squad has been known as the Red Devils since 1906; its fan club is named “1895”. During the national player career of forward Paul Van Himst, the most-praised Belgian footballer of the 20th century, Belgium finished in third place as hosts at UEFA Euro 1972.
After that, they experienced two golden ages with many gifted players. In the first period, which lasted from the 1980s to the early 1990s, the team finished as runners-up at UEFA Euro 1980 and fourth in the 1986 FIFA World Cup. Legendary figures like Jean-Marie Pfaff, Michel Preud’homme, Jan Ceulemans and Enzo Scifo shone during this era.
Recent Performances
In the second golden age, under guidance of Marc Wilmots and later Roberto Martínez in the 2010s, Belgium topped the FIFA World Ranking for the first time in November 2015 and finished third at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Superstars like Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois led the team to unprecedented heights.
To date, Belgium is the only national team in the world to top the FIFA ranking without having won a World Cup or a continental trophy. Their most recent major tournament disappointment was a quarter-final exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, following which long-serving manager Roberto Martínez stepped down.
Squad and Coaching Staff
Current Squad
On 8 November 2024, the following 23 players were named in the squad for the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League matches against Italy and Israel on 14 and 17 November 2024, respectively. Three days later, Charles De Ketelaere, Jérémy Doku, Malick Fofana and Joaquin Seys all dropped out due to injury or not being fully fit, with Samuel Mbangula, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Killian Sardella and Arthur Vermeeren called up to replace them.
After the match against Italy, five players dropped out due to injury or not being fully fit: De Cuyper, Lavia, Lukaku, Onana and Theate. Norman Bassette was the only replacement player called-up.
Information correct as of 17 November 2024, after the match against Israel.
Coaching Staff
On February 2023, it was announced that Domenico Tedesco has been appointed as the new head coach of the Belgian national team, replacing Roberto Martinez on a contract lasting until the end of Euro 2024. The German-Italian tactician is assisted by Andreas Hinkel and Luke Benstead.
Notable Players
Between 1904 and 1980, mainly attacking Belgium players were recognised as talented footballers. In the team’s first decade, striker Robert De Veen was very productive with 26 goals in 23 international appearances.
The key player of the victorious 1920 Olympic squad was Robert Coppée, who scored a hat-trick against Spain and the penalty in the final. Other outstanding Belgian strikers in the interwar period were former top scorer Bernard Voorhoof and “Belgium’s football grandmaster” Raymond Braine.
In the 1980s and the early 1990s, goalkeepers Jean-Marie Pfaff and Michel Preud’homme were elected best custodians at FIFA World Cups, while FIFA recognised midfielders Jan Ceulemans and Enzo Scifo as the propelling forces of Belgium’s 1986 FIFA World Cup squad.
During the 10 years from 2002 to 2012 in which Belgium failed to qualify for major tournaments, another golden generation matured, many of whom gained both prime individual and team awards in foreign European top clubs and competitions. These include defender Vincent Kompany, midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and winger Eden Hazard.
Romelu Lukaku is the highest-scoring Belgium player with 85 goals. Eden Hazard started the most matches as captain (59). Jan Vertonghen has the most appearances for Belgium with 157 caps.
International Tournaments
FIFA World Cup
Belgium failed to progress past the first round of their earliest five World Cup participations. After two scoreless defeats at the inaugural World Cup in 1930, the team scored in their first-round knockout matches in the 1934 and 1938 editions—but only enough to save their honours.
From 1982 until 2002, Belgium qualified for six successive World Cups, and in the tournament finals they advanced beyond the first round five times. Their best performance was a semi-final appearance at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where they were eventually eliminated by eventual champions Argentina.
In 2014, Belgium beat all their group opponents with a single-goal difference, before losing to eventual champions Argentina in the quarter-finals. At the 2018 World Cup, Belgium made it to the semi-finals, where they were defeated 1-0 by France, but went on to beat England 2-0 in the third-place play-off, securing their best ever World Cup finish.
However, their most recent World Cup campaign in 2022 ended in disappointment, as Belgium were knocked out in the group stage for the first time since 1998 after failing to win any of their three matches.
UEFA European Championship
With only seven successful qualification campaigns out of seventeen, Belgium’s performance in the European Championship does not compare to their World Cup record. Yet, they have achieved some memorable results.
At Euro 1972, as hosts, Belgium finished third after losing to West Germany and beating Hungary. Their best continental result is their second place at Euro 1980 in Italy, where they lost the final 2-1 to West Germany.
Belgium automatically reappeared at Euro 2000 as co-hosts, but were eliminated in the group stage after losing to Italy and Turkey. At Euro 2016, despite winning their group, they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Wales.
The team’s most recent European Championship appearance in 2020 ended in disappointment, as they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Italy.
Other Tournaments
Belgium has also featured at three Olympic football tournaments, including winning the gold medal at the 1920 Summer Olympics on home soil. Their other Olympic appearances came in 1900, where a Belgian representation with mainly students won bronze, and in 2008, where their U-23 selection placed fourth.
In addition, Belgium has won the African Nations Championship twice, in 2009 and 2016, despite not being an African nation. This tournament is reserved for players playing in their domestic leagues.
Rivalries and Significant Matches
Neighboring Countries
Belgium’s main football rivals are its neighbors the Netherlands and France, with which it shares close cultural and political relations. The matchup between the Belgian and Dutch team is known as the Low Countries derby, as of May 2018 they have played each other in 126 official matches.
The clash between the Belgian and French sides is nicknamed le Match Sympathique in French (“the Friendly Match”); they have contested 74 official matches as of September 2020. Until 1967, the sides met almost annually.
Clashes with Top Teams
Belgium has enjoyed some memorable victories over reigning world champions over the years, beating West Germany in 1954, Brazil in 1963, Argentina in 1982, and France in 2002.
One of their most famous matches was a 2-0 win over reigning world and European champions France in a 2002 World Cup qualifier. This result proved to be a false dawn, however, as Belgium went on to exit that World Cup in the round of 16.
Memorable Matches
Another iconic moment came in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals, when Belgium beat the Soviet Union 4-3 after extra time, overturning a 2-0 deficit. Jan Ceulemans’ equalizer in the 90th minute sent the match into extra time, where Belgium prevailed.
At the 2018 World Cup, Belgium produced a remarkable comeback in the round of 16 against Japan. Trailing 2-0 late on, they scored three goals in the final 20 minutes to win 3-2 and advance to the quarter-finals.
Achievements and Records
Major Titles
Belgium’s sole major international trophy is the gold medal they won at the 1920 Summer Olympics, defeating Czechoslovakia in the controversial final. They have never won the World Cup or the European Championship.
Individual Accolades
Several Belgian players have been recognized with individual awards over the years. Romelu Lukaku is Belgium’s all-time top scorer with 85 goals. Eden Hazard has captained the national team the most times, with 59 appearances as skipper.
Goalkeepers Jean-Marie Pfaff and Michel Preud’homme were both named the best custodians at FIFA World Cups, while midfielders Jan Ceulemans and Enzo Scifo were recognized by FIFA as key players in Belgium’s 1986 World Cup squad.
Statistical Milestones
As of 14 November 2024, the Belgian national team has played 847 official matches, winning 374, drawing 178 and losing 295. They have scored 1,516 goals and conceded 1,315.
Their highest winning margin is nine goals, achieved on four occasions. Their longest winning streak is 12 matches, while their highest unbeaten run stands at 23 games.
Cultural Impact and Fanbase
Popularity in Belgium
Cycling is the traditional national sport of Belgium, but football is the most popular. The national team enjoys immense support from Belgian fans, who display the country’s tricolour flag with an emphasis on the red element.
In 2012, local supporter clubs merged into one large Belgian federation named “1895” after the foundation year of the Royal Belgian Football Association. One year later, 1895 had 24,000 members.
Influence on Belgian Culture
The team’s nicknames, the Red Devils and White Devils, are deeply embedded in Belgian football culture. Their iconic red jerseys and tricolour design are instantly recognizable.
When the team achieved unexpected success, such as reaching the semi-finals of the 1986 World Cup, it sparked a surge of national pride and unity. Their popularity has also led to the decoration of Belgian landmarks in the team’s colors during major tournaments.
Fan Engagement and Support
The Belgian national team enjoys strong fan engagement, with the team often directly supporting charitable causes. Between 1914 and 1941, they played at least five unofficial matches where the proceeds went to charity.
In the 21st century, several players have also spoken out against discrimination, participating in anti-racism and anti-homophobia campaigns. The team’s fan base remains passionate, with record television audiences for their matches and large fan events organized during major tournaments.
Despite periods of underperformance, the Red Devils continue to hold a special place in the hearts of Belgian football supporters, who eagerly await the team’s next shot at glory on the international stage.
