Belgium National Team World Cup Betting
This is probably the last real chance that Belgium has to win a World Cup for quite some time. The country’s golden generation will largely be on the other side of 30 this winter, so it’s now or never for the Red Devils. Belgium is favored to win Group F over 2018 World Cup runner-up Croatia, Morocco, and Canada, and it would be a bitter disappointment if they were unable to make it to the knockout rounds.
Manager: Roberto Martinez
Nickname: The Red Devils
Confederation: UEFA (Europe)
FIFA Ranking: 2 (March 2022)
Belgium World Cup Betting Odds
To Win Group F: -190
To Win 2022 World Cup: +1400
*Odds as of May 4, 2022
Belgium Group Stage Schedule
Belgium vs. Canada, Wednesday, November 23, 2022, 2 p.m. ET, at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan (FOX)
Belgium vs. Morocco, Sunday, November 27, 2022, 8 a.m. ET, at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha (FS1)
Croatia vs. Belgium, Thursday, December 1, 2022, 10 a.m. ET, at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan (FOX)
History at the World Cup
Appearances: 14 (first in 1930)
Best Result: Third place (2018)
This will be Belgium’s 14th appearance at the World Cup. Belgium was unable to win its first game on this stage until its fifth World Cup appearance in 1970 though, and the Red Devils didn’t advance out of the Group Stage until the 1986 World Cup. They finished in third place in its group but proceeded to upset the Soviet Union 4-3 in the Round of 16 and then bested Spain in penalties before losing to eventual champions Argentina in the semifinals.
Belgium made it to the Round of 16 in 1990 and 1994, but they were outclassed by England and Germany in those two tournaments. They failed to make it to the World Cup in either 2006 or 2010, and that led to the country redoubling its efforts and emphasizing its youth program. That led to its greatest run in international play starting at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The Red Devils easily topped their group and then made it to the quarterfinals by beating the United States thanks to added time goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku. They couldn’t best Argentina in the quarterfinals though, as their young team was a little too raw.
The 2018 World Cup was the coming out party for Belgium. They were the 3rd ranked team in the world, and they lived up to the hype in the Group Stage. Belgium hammered Panama and Tunisia before besting England in the last match to finish unbeaten going into the knockout rounds. They overcame a 2-0 deficit to beat Japan 3-2 in the Round of 16, and they proceeded to knock off Brazil 2-1 in the quarterfinals. Belgium fell to eventual champions France in the semifinals, but the team smashed England in the third-place game to secure its best result yet at the World Cup.
What to Watch
Thibaut Courtois won the Golden Glove as the top goalkeeper in Russia four years ago. Courtois is still playing at a high level as the first-choice goalkeeper for Real Madrid, and he has 94 caps for the national team. Simon Mingolet is a more than capable reserve goalkeeper, so this position is in good shape.
The back line might be a bit of a concern as Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld have lost a step. Both Vertonghen and Alderweireld have a ton of experience, but their best football is now behind them. Thomas Meunier is now set to be they lynchpin in defense.
This attack is one of the most intimidating in the world with Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard leading the charge. De Bruyne is arguably the best playmaking midfielder in the world with what we have seen from him with Belgium and Manchester City, while Hazard is a wizard with the ball at his feet. Younger brother Thorgan Hazard will likely see some playing time too.
Romelu Lukaku is the primary goal scorer for Belgium with a dizzying 68 goals in 101 appearances. Lukaku is a clinical finisher, and he has some talented players alongside him in Dries Mertens, Christian Benteke, and Michy Batshuayi.
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