This is Belgium’s golden generation. After missing out on securing the FIFA World Cup in 2018, falling at the hands of eventual winners France, The Red-and-Blacks will look to make it to the top of European football glory. They are currently the world No.1 in FIFA rankings.
Starting with Thibaut Courtois in goal, they possess a good defensive side, although not the best in the competition. Led by the experienced Toby Alderweireld, Belgium have five pure defenders including the Tottenham man. Additionally, Timothy Castagne and Thomas Meunier are versatile midfielders / defenders who are capable of adding flare in the wing-back roles.
Compared to other teams in the tournament, Belgium have a strong midfield and attack structure led by four players in Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens and Eden Hazard. Although it remains to be seen how De Bruyne’s facial injuries will play out, Youri Tielemans is capable of taking the holding midfield role in the center of the pitch. The 2020-21 European football league season has seen Belgium’s stars perform well on the club stage, with some of them going onto win prestigious trophies like the Serie A title and FA Cup.
Belgium have been pitched in a strong competition in Group B, with Russia, Denmark and Finland. They play Russia first on June 12, followed by games against Denmark and Finland on 17 and 21 June respectively.
After going out to Wales in the EURO 2016 Quarter Finals, coach Roberto Martinez entered the picture to lead Belgium to their best ever finish at the 2018 FIFA World Cup – a third place.
Belgium are one of the tournament’s favorites to go all the way to secure the European Championship title this time.
Manager Roberto Martinez possesses an embarrassment of riches in his extremely talented national team squad. The former Everton gaffer has shortlisted 26 players to be part of the squad that contains some of the world’s best players in their respective positions including Serie A winner Romelu Lukaku and Manchester City midfield general Kevin De Bruyne.
Full 26-man squad include:
Goalkeepers (3): Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge), Mats Selz (Strasbourg)
Defenders (5): Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham), Dedryck Boyata (Hertha Berlin), Jason Denayer (Lyon), Thomas Vermaelen (Vissel Kobe), Jan Vertonghen (Benfica)
Midfielders (11): Timothy Castagne (Leicester), Nacer Chadli (Istanbul Basaksehir), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Leander Dendoncker (Wolves), Thorgan Hazard (Dortmund), Thomas Meunier (Dortmund), Dennis Praet (Leicester), Youri Tielemans (Leicester), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Dortmund)
Forwards (7): Michy Batshuayi (Crystal Palace), Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace), Jeremy Doku (Rennes), Eden Hazard (Real Madrid), Romelu Lukaku (Inter), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Leandro Trossard (Brighton)
Along with the squad, a set of 11 players have also been chosen as reserves for the team.
Reserves: Thomas Kaminski (Blackburn), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Zinho Vanheusden (Standard Liege), Jordan Lukaku (Antwerp), Thomas Foket (Reims), Albert Sambi Lokonga (Anderlecht), Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad), Brayn Heynen (Genk), Alexis Saelemaekers (Milan), Yari Verschaeren (Anderlecht), Charles De Ketelaere (Club Brugge)
Belgium Players to Look Out For: Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard, Youri Tielemans
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