Belgium at the FIFA World Cup

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Belgium national football team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia Bel-Tun (2).jpg
Belgium national football team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia

Belgium have appeared in the finals tournament of the FIFA World Cup on 14 occasions, the first being at the first FIFA World Cup in 1930 where they finished in 11th place and played the first ever World Cup match against the United States. The inaugural FIFA World Cup final was officiated by Belgian referee John Langenus.

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Traditionally, Belgium's greatest rival is the Netherlands. The two countries have met each other twice in the history of the FIFA World Cup, with one win for Belgium (USA 1994) and one draw (France 1998). The team that has played the most against Belgium in the finals is the continuum USSR-Russia: five times, with three victories for Belgium and two for the Soviet Union. [1]

Belgium's best finish in the World Cup is third, at the Russia 2018 tournament. Belgium previously finished fourth in the Mexico 1986 competition.

Images of Belgium's first World Cup match in 1930, against the United States Eeuubelgica1930.JPG
Images of Belgium's first World Cup match in 1930, against the United States
Jean-Marie Pfaff at Runa Ralley 2007 cropped.jpg
Michel Preud'homme 2.JPG
In their golden era, Belgium featured two goalkeepers who were named the best at that position in the World Cup; Jean-Marie Pfaff (left) in 1986 and Michel Preud'homme (right) in 1994.

FIFA World Cup record

Belgian's first five appearances at the FIFA World Cup between 1930 and 1970 were not successful, as they failed to advance beyond the first round. After two scoreless defeats at the inaugural World Cup in 1930, Belgium scored their first two World Cup goals in 1934 against Germany, by virtue of Bernard Voorhoof. However, both in 1934 and 1938 the Red Devils went out with a single loss. In 1954 they held England to a draw (4–4) and in 1970 they achieved their first World Cup win, against El Salvador (3–0).

Belgium reached six successive World Cups from 1982 through 2002 by playing qualification rounds, a record bettered only by Spain whose 2018 World Cup is their ninth consecutive qualification (a streak going back to 1986). Every other nation with an equal or longer string of appearances has had the streak "interrupted" by automatic qualification as the host or the defending champion (the 2006 tournament was the first for which the defending champion does not automatically qualify). On top of that, in that era the Belgian team reached the second phase five out of six times.

Their fourth-place finish in the 1986 was their best placement in their World Cup history, until 2018 when they finished third after beating England (2-0) in Saint Petersburg.

1930 FIFA World Cup

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States 220060+64Advance to the knockout stage
2Flag of Paraguay (1842-1954).svg  Paraguay 21011322
3Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 20020440
Source: ESPN
United States  Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg3–0Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
McGhee Soccerball shade.svg23' [2]
Florie Soccerball shade.svg45' [2]
Patenaude Soccerball shade.svg69' [2]
Report
Estadio Parque Central, Montevideo
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: José Macías (Argentina)

Paraguay  Flag of Paraguay (1842-1954).svg1–0Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Vargas Peña Soccerball shade.svg40' [2] Report
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo
Attendance: 900
Referee: Ricardo Vallarino (Uruguay)

1934 FIFA World Cup

The group stage used in the first World Cup was discarded in favour of a straight knockout tournament.

Flag of Germany (1933-1935).svg  Germany 5 – 2Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Kobierski Soccerball shade.svg25'
Siffling Soccerball shade.svg49'
Conen Soccerball shade.svg66', 70', 87'
Report Voorhoof Soccerball shade.svg29', 43'
Stadio Giovanni Berta, Florence
Attendance: ~8,000
Referee: Francesco Mattea (Italy)

1938 FIFA World Cup

France  Flag of France.svg3–1Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Veinante Soccerball shade.svg1'
Nicolas Soccerball shade.svg16', 69'
Report Isemborghs Soccerball shade.svg38'

1954 FIFA World Cup

According to journalist Henry Guldemont, some of his Swiss colleagues regarded the 1954 Belgian team as "favourites for the world title" after a promising 4–4 opener against England. [3] [4] However, in the second and last group match against Italy, Belgium was defeated 1–4 and was unable to proceed to the finals.

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of England.svg  England 211064+23Advance to the knockout stage
2Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 21012312 [lower-alpha 1]
3Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 210153+22 [lower-alpha 1]
4Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 20115831
Source: FIFA
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Second place decided over through play-off: Switzerland 4–1 Italy
England  Flag of England.svg4–4 (a.e.t.)Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Broadis Soccerball shade.svg26', 63'
Lofthouse Soccerball shade.svg36', 91'
Report Anoul Soccerball shade.svg5', 71'
Coppens Soccerball shade.svg67'
Dickinson Soccerball shade.svg94' (o.g.)
St. Jakob Stadium, Basel
Attendance: 40,000
Referee: Emil Schmetzer (West Germany)

Italy  Flag of Italy.svg4–1Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Pandolfini Soccerball shade.svg41' (pen.)
Galli Soccerball shade.svg48'
Frignani Soccerball shade.svg58'
Lorenzi Soccerball shade.svg78'
Report Anoul Soccerball shade.svg81'
Cornaredo Stadium, Lugano
Attendance: 26,000
Referee: Carl Erich Steiner (Austria)

1970 FIFA World Cup

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union 321061+55 [lower-alpha 1] Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 321050+55 [lower-alpha 1]
3Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 31024512
4Flag of El Salvador.svg  El Salvador 30030990
Source: FIFA
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Having finished level on both points and goal difference, the Soviet Union and Mexico were separated by the drawing of lots.
Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg3–0Flag of El Salvador.svg  El Salvador
Van Moer Soccerball shade.svg12', 54'
Lambert Soccerball shade.svg76' (pen.)
Report
Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Attendance: 92,205
Referee: Andrei Rădulescu (Romania)

Soviet Union  Flag of the Soviet Union.svg4–1Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Byshovets Soccerball shade.svg14', 63'
Asatiani Soccerball shade.svg57'
Khmelnytskyi Soccerball shade.svg76'
Report Lambert Soccerball shade.svg86'
Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Attendance: 95,261
Referee: Rudolf Scheurer (Switzerland)

Mexico  Flag of Mexico.svg1–0Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Peña Soccerball shade.svg14' (pen.) Report

1982 FIFA World Cup

In the first game of the 1982 FIFA World Cup, held at Camp Nou, Belgium celebrated one of their most famous victories: a 0–1 win over defending champions Argentina with a goal by Erwin Vandenbergh. After pushing through to the second group stage of that tournament, Belgium was stunned by a Polish hat-trick from Zbigniew Boniek. The decisive match against the Soviet Union ended in a 0–1 loss.

Group 3

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 321031+25Advance to second round
2Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 320162+44
3Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 3111126+63
4Flag of El Salvador.svg  El Salvador 3003113120
Source: FIFA
Argentina  Flag of Argentina.svg0–1Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Report Vandenbergh Soccerball shade.svg62'
Attendance: 95,500

Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg1–0Flag of El Salvador.svg  El Salvador
Coeck Soccerball shade.svg19' Report
Attendance: 15,000

Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg1–1Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary
Czerniatynski Soccerball shade.svg76' Report Varga Soccerball shade.svg27'
Attendance: 37,000
Referee: Clive White (England)

Group A

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 211030+33Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union 211010+13
3Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 20020440
Source: FIFA
Poland  Flag of Poland.svg3–0Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Boniek Soccerball shade.svg4', 26', 53' Report
Attendance: 65,000

Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg0–1Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Report Oganesian Soccerball shade.svg48'
Attendance: 45,000

1986 FIFA World Cup

Four years later they achieved their best World Cup run to that point when they placed fourth at Mexico 1986. Picked up as the best third-placed team, in the knockout phase Belgium surprisingly won against favourites Soviet Union after extra time (3–4). Different from the previous World Cup, the Red Devils were able to surmount an opponent's hat-trick (this time from Igor Belanov), something that only Brazil and Austria achieved as well in World Cup history (respectively in 1938 and 1954). [5] Belgium also beat Spain on penalties after a 1–1 draw, but they conceded a 2–0 loss against eventual champions Argentina in the semifinal - both goals scored by football icon Diego Maradona. In the third-place match Belgium lost to France (4–2) after extra time. Captain and midfielder Jan Ceulemans and goalkeeper Jean-Marie Pfaff were the first Belgian players to be selected in the All-Star Team of a World Cup. Enzo Scifo was elected as best young player of the tournament.

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico (H)321042+25Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg  Paraguay 312043+14
3Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 31115503
4Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg  Iraq 30031430
Source: FIFA
(H) Hosts
Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg12Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico
Vandenbergh Soccerball shade.svg45' Report Quirarte Soccerball shade.svg23'
Sánchez Soccerball shade.svg39'
Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Attendance: 110,000
Referee: Carlos Espósito (Argentina)

Iraq  Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg12Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Radhi Soccerball shade.svg59' Report Scifo Soccerball shade.svg16'
Claesen Soccerball shade.svg21' (pen.)
Estadio Nemesio Díez, Toluca
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Jesús Díaz (Colombia)

Paraguay  Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg22Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Cabañas Soccerball shade.svg50', 76' Report Vercauteren Soccerball shade.svg30'
Veyt Soccerball shade.svg59'
Estadio Nemesio Díez, Toluca
Attendance: 16,000
Referee: Bogdan Dotchev (Bulgaria)

Soviet Union  Flag of the Soviet Union.svg34 (a.e.t.)Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Belanov Soccerball shade.svg27', 70', 111' (pen.) Report Scifo Soccerball shade.svg56'
Ceulemans Soccerball shade.svg77'
Demol Soccerball shade.svg102'
Claesen Soccerball shade.svg110'
Estadio Nou Camp, León
Attendance: 32,277
Referee: Erik Fredriksson (Sweden)


Argentina  Flag of Argentina.svg20Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Maradona Soccerball shade.svg51', 63' Report

France  Flag of France.svg42 (a.e.t.)Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Ferreri Soccerball shade.svg27'
Papin Soccerball shade.svg43'
Genghini Soccerball shade.svg104'
Amoros Soccerball shade.svg111' (pen.)
Report Ceulemans Soccerball shade.svg11'
Claesen Soccerball shade.svg73'
Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Puebla
Attendance: 21,000
Referee: George Courtney (England)

1990 FIFA World Cup

In the 1990 FIFA World Cup, Belgium survived the group phase by wins against South Korea and Uruguay (2–0 and 3–1). In the second round they did well against England, dominating the match by periods and with Enzo Scifo even hitting the woodwork twice. [6] With a persisting 0–0 penalties seemed unavoidable, but eventually they lost in the last minute of extra time after a "nearly blind" volley by David Platt. [7] Scifo was elected as second best player of the 1990 World Cup after Lothar Matthäus. [8]

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 321052+35Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 320163+34
3Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay 31112313
4Flag of South Korea (1984-1997).svg  South Korea 30031650
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg2–0Flag of South Korea (1984-1997).svg  South Korea
Degryse Soccerball shade.svg53'
De Wolf Soccerball shade.svg64'
Report
Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi, Verona
Attendance: 32,790
Referee: Vincent Mauro (United States)

Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg3–1Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay
Clijsters Soccerball shade.svg16'
Scifo Soccerball shade.svg22'
Ceulemans Soccerball shade.svg48'
Report Bengoechea Soccerball shade.svg74'

Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg1–2Flag of Spain.svg  Spain
Vervoort Soccerball shade.svg28' Report Míchel Soccerball shade.svg20' (pen.)
Górriz Soccerball shade.svg38'

England  Flag of England.svg1–0 (a.e.t.)Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Platt Soccerball shade.svg119' Report
Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna
Attendance: 34,520
Referee: Peter Mikkelsen (Denmark)

1994 FIFA World Cup

In the 1994 FIFA World Cup two 1–0 wins in round 1 against Morocco and the Netherlands were remarkably not enough to finish second, but Belgium advanced as they were among the best four third-placed teams. In the second round they lost to title defenders Germany (3–2). During this last game, the Belgians were frustrated that Swiss referee Kurt Röthlisberger had not awarded them a penalty kick when German defender Thomas Helmer brought down their striker Josip Weber in the penalty area with a bump from behind. [9] After the match, Röthlisberger was sent home. Michel Preud'homme was elected as best goalkeeper of the tournament.

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 320143+16Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia 320143+16
3Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 320121+16
4Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 30032530
Source: FIFA
Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg1–0Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco
Degryse Soccerball shade.svg11' Report
Citrus Bowl, Orlando
Attendance: 61,219
Referee: José Torres Cadena (Colombia)

Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg1–0Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands
Albert Soccerball shade.svg65' Report
Citrus Bowl, Orlando
Attendance: 62,387
Referee: Renato Marsiglia (Brazil)

Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg0–1Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Report Al-Owairan Soccerball shade.svg5'
RFK Stadium, Washington
Attendance: 52,959
Referee: Hellmut Krug (Germany)

Germany  Flag of Germany.svg3 2Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Völler Soccerball shade.svg6', 40'
Klinsmann Soccerball shade.svg11'
Report Grün Soccerball shade.svg8'
Albert Soccerball shade.svg90'
Soldier Field, Chicago
Attendance: 60,246
Referee: Kurt Röthlisberger (Switzerland)

1998 FIFA World Cup

In 1998 Belgium was one of only three teams, along with hosts and eventual world champions France and Italy, not to lose a single game. Three draws in the first round – against Netherlands, Mexico and South Korea – proved not enough to reach the knockout stage. In 1998 Enzo Scifo and Franky Van der Elst appeared in their fourth World Cups, setting a Belgian record.

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 312072+55Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 312075+25
3Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 30303303
4Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg  South Korea 30122971
Source: FIFA
Netherlands  Flag of the Netherlands.svg0–0Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Report
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 75,000
Referee: Pierluigi Collina (Italy)

Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg2–2Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico
Wilmots Soccerball shade.svg43', 47' Report García Aspe Soccerball shade.svg55' (pen.)
Blanco Soccerball shade.svg62'
Parc Lescure, Bordeaux
Attendance: 31,800
Referee: Hugh Dallas (Scotland)

Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg1–1Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
Nilis Soccerball shade.svg7' Report Yoo Sang-Chul Soccerball shade.svg71'

2002 FIFA World Cup

With two ties, the 2002 FIFA World Cup did not start well for Belgium, but the team improved during the tournament. Captain Marc Wilmots was notable for scoring in every match of the first round. Belgium won the decisive group match against Russia with 3–2 and in the second round they had to play against eventual champions Brazil. In this 1/8th final, referee Peter Prendergast disallowed a headed goal by Wilmots that would have given Belgium a 0–1 lead, after a "phantom foul" on Roque Júnior. [10] Eventually Brazil won 2–0, but Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari admitted after this match that Belgium was a tough edge and after the tournament he declared that the match against the Red Devils had been the hardest for Brazil to win. [11] With the World Cup final still to go, the team did win the tournament's fair-play award. [12] Marc Wilmots equalled the record of Enzo Scifo and Franky Van der Elst by appearing in 4 World Cup squads, although he did not play in his first World Cup in 1990. Wilmots also scored his 5th World Cup goal against Russia, which made him Belgium's top scorer in World Cup Finals matches until the 2018 world cup when Romelu Lukaku also scored his 5th World Cup goal. [13]

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Japan.svg  Japan (H)321052+37Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 312065+15
3Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 31024403
4Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia 30121541
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tie-breaking criteria
(H) Hosts
Japan  Flag of Japan.svg2–2Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Suzuki Soccerball shade.svg59'
Inamoto Soccerball shade.svg67'
Report Wilmots Soccerball shade.svg57'
Van Der Heyden Soccerball shade.svg75'
Saitama Stadium, Saitama
Attendance: 55,256
Referee: William Mattus (Costa Rica)

Tunisia  Flag of Tunisia.svg1–1Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Bouzaiene Soccerball shade.svg17' Report Wilmots Soccerball shade.svg13'
Ōita Big Eye Stadium, Ōita
Attendance: 52,000
Referee: Mark Shield (Australia)

Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg3–2Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Walem Soccerball shade.svg7'
Sonck Soccerball shade.svg78'
Wilmots Soccerball shade.svg82'
Report Beschastnykh Soccerball shade.svg52'
Sychev Soccerball shade.svg88'

Brazil  Flag of Brazil.svg2–0Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Rivaldo Soccerball shade.svg67'
Ronaldo Soccerball shade.svg87'
Report
Kobe Wing Stadium, Kobe
Attendance: 40,440
Referee: Peter Prendergast (Jamaica)

2014 FIFA World Cup

In 2014, Belgium started as group favourites and beat all group opponents with the smallest margin. Thereafter, they advanced to the round of 16 and played the United States. The Red Devils needed extra time to proceed to the next stage (2–1), where they faced Argentina. In a balanced quarter-final against the Albiceleste, the World Cup ended for Belgium as they failed to equalize after Gonzalo Higuaín's early goal.

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 330041+39Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria 311165+14
3Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 30212312
4Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 30123631
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tie-breaking criteria
Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg 2–1 Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria
Fellaini Soccerball shade.svg70'
Mertens Soccerball shade.svg80'
Report Feghouli Soccerball shade.svg25' (pen.)

Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg 1–0 Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Origi Soccerball shade.svg88' Report

South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svg 0–1 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Report Vertonghen Soccerball shade.svg78'

Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg 2–1 (a.e.t.)Flag of the United States.svg  United States
De Bruyne Soccerball shade.svg93'
Lukaku Soccerball shade.svg105'
Report Green Soccerball shade.svg107'
Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador
Attendance: 51,227
Referee: Djamel Haimoudi (Algeria)

Argentina  Flag of Argentina.svg 1–0 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Higuaín Soccerball shade.svg8' Report

2018 FIFA World Cup

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 330092+79Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of England.svg  England 320183+56
3Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia 31025833
4Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 300321190
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg 3–0 Flag of Panama.svg  Panama
Mertens Soccerball shade.svg47'
Lukaku Soccerball shade.svg69', 75'
Report
Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi
Attendance: 43,257
Referee: Janny Sikazwe (Zambia)

Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg 5–2 Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia
E. Hazard Soccerball shade.svg6' (pen.), 51'
Lukaku Soccerball shade.svg16', 45+3'
Batshuayi Soccerball shade.svg90'
Report Bronn Soccerball shade.svg18'
Khazri Soccerball shade.svg90+3'
Spartak Stadium, Moscow
Attendance: 44,190
Referee: Jair Marrufo (United States)

England  Flag of England.svg 0–1 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Report Januzaj Soccerball shade.svg51'
Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad
Attendance: 33,973
Referee: Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

Round of 16
Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg 3–2 Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Vertonghen Soccerball shade.svg69'
Fellaini Soccerball shade.svg74'
Chadli Soccerball shade.svg90+4'
Report Haraguchi Soccerball shade.svg48'
Inui Soccerball shade.svg52'
Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don
Attendance: 41,466
Referee: Malang Diedhiou (Senegal)

Quarter-final
Brazil  Flag of Brazil.svg 1–2 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Renato Augusto Soccerball shade.svg76' Report Fernandinho Soccerball shade.svg13' (o.g.)
De Bruyne Soccerball shade.svg31'
Kazan Arena, Kazan
Attendance: 42,873
Referee: Milorad Mažić (Serbia)

Semi-final
France  Flag of France (lighter variant).svg 1–0 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Umtiti Soccerball shade.svg51' Report

Third place play-off
Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg 2–0 Flag of England.svg  England
Meunier Soccerball shade.svg4'
E. Hazard Soccerball shade.svg82'
Report

2022 FIFA World Cup

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 321041+37Advanced to knockout stage
2Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 312041+35
3Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 31111214
4Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 30032750
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg 1–0 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Report
Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
Attendance: 40,432
Referee: Janny Sikazwe (Zambia)

Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg 0–2 Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco
Report
Al Thumama Stadium, Doha
Attendance: 43,738
Referee: César Arturo Ramos (Mexico)

Croatia  Flag of Croatia.svg 0–0 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Report
Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
Attendance: 43,984
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)

Overview

Tournaments

 Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place

FIFA World CupQualification
YearHost(s)RoundPldWDLGFGASquadPos.PldWDLGFGA
1930 Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay Group stage200204 Squad Participated as invitees
1934 Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy Round of 16100125 Squad 2nd 201168
1938 Flag of France.svg  France 100113 Squad 2nd 211043
1950 Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil Did not enterDid not enter
1954 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Group stage201158 Squad 1st 4310116
1958 Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden Did not qualify 2nd 42111611
1962 Flag of Chile.svg  Chile 3rd 4004310
1966 Flag of England.svg  England Play-off 5302125
1970 Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico Group stage310245 Squad 1st 6411148
1974 Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany Did not qualify 2nd 6420120
1978 Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 2nd 630376
1982 Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Second group stage521235 Squad 1st 8512129
1986 Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico Fourth place72231215 Squad Play-off 842295
1990 Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Round of 16420264 Squad 1st 8440155
1994 Flag of the United States.svg  United States 420244 Squad 2nd 10712165
1998 Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France Group stage303033 Squad Play-off 107122313
2002 Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg  South Korea
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Round of 16412167 Squad Play-off 10721276
2006 Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Did not qualify 4th 103341611
2010 Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 4th 103161320
2014 Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil Quarter-finals540163 Squad 1st 10820184
2018 Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Third place7601166 Squad 1st 10910436
2022 Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar Group stage311112 Squad 1st 8620256
TotalThird place51211020697414/22141832731302147
 Champions   Runners-up   Third place   Fourth place  

Matches

Record players

RankPlayerMatchesWorld Cups
1 Enzo Scifo 171986, 1990, 1994 and 1998
2 Jan Ceulemans 161982, 1986 and 1990
3 Franky van der Elst 141986, 1990, 1994 and 1998
4 Eric Gerets 121982, 1986 and 1990
Thibaut Courtois 122014,2018 and 2022
6 Franky Vercauteren 111982 and 1986
Stéphane Demol 111986 and 1990
Georges Grün 111986, 1990 and 1994
Eden Hazard 112014,2018 and 2022
Dries Mertens 112014,2018 and 2022
Jan Vertonghen 112014 and 2018

Goalscorers

Marc Wilmots (as trainer), Belgium's joint all-time top scorer at the World Cup Marc Wilmots.JPG
Marc Wilmots (as trainer), Belgium's joint all-time top scorer at the World Cup

List of FIFA World Cup goalscorers

Awards

Team

Individual

See also

Footnotes

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    The 1982 FIFA World Cup was the 12th FIFA World Cup, a quadrennial football tournament for men's senior national teams, and was played in Spain from 13 June to 11 July 1982. The tournament was won by Italy, who defeated West Germany 3–1 in the final held in the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in the capital, Madrid. It was Italy's third World Cup title, but their first since 1938. The defending champions, Argentina, were eliminated in the second round. Algeria, Cameroon, Honduras, Kuwait and New Zealand made their first appearances in the finals.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">1986 FIFA World Cup</span> Association football tournament in Mexico

    The 1986 FIFA World Cup was the 13th FIFA World Cup, a quadrennial football tournament for men's senior national teams. It was played in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June 1986. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so, and resigned in November 1982. Mexico was selected as the new host in May 1983, and became the first country to host the World Cup more than once, after previously hosting the 1970 edition.

    Russia has participated in 4 FIFA World Cups since its independence in December 1991. The Russian Federation played their first international match against Mexico on 16 August 1992, winning 2–0. Their first participation in a World Cup was in the United States in 1994 where they achieved 18th place.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Australia at the FIFA World Cup</span> Participation of Australias national football team in the FIFA World Cup

    This article summarises the results and overall performances of Australia at the FIFA World Cup.

    Algeria has qualified to the FIFA World Cup on four occasions, in 1982, 1986, 2010 and 2014. They have once qualified for the knockout rounds, reaching the round of 16 in 2014 before losing to Germany. Algeria nearly qualified to the second round of the 1982 World Cup after beating both West Germany and Chile; however, a controversial match between West Germany and Austria wound up eliminating the Algerians. In 2014, Algeria qualified for the round of 16 for the first time.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Uruguay at the FIFA World Cup</span> Participation of Uruguays national football team in the FIFA World Cup

    This is a record of Uruguay's results at the FIFA World Cup. Uruguay have won four FIFA-organized World Football Championships. They won the first World Championship organized by FIFA under the Olympic Committee umbrella with true representation from all continents; before then, football in the Olympics comprised only European teams. Uruguay then won the next two World Cups in which they participated; these tournaments, the 1930 and 1950 FIFA World Cups, were fully independent from the Olympics and employed clear rules distinguishing professional and amateur football players. Since 1924 marked the beginning of true international football competition, organized by FIFA, FIFA recognizes Uruguay as four-time world champions and allows the team to wear four stars on their uniforms during official international football competitions. Uruguay hosted and won the first FIFA World Cup in 1930, beating Argentina 4–2 in the final. They won their second and last title in 1950, upsetting host Brazil 2–1 in the final match. The team have qualified for fourteen World Cups, reaching the second round in ten, the semi-finals five times, and the final twice. They also won the gold medal in Olympic football twice, in 1924 and 1928, before the creation of the World Cup. Uruguay won the 1980 Mundialito, a tournament comprising former World Cup champions hosted in Uruguay to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first World Championship. Uruguay is one of the most successful teams in the world, having won nineteen FIFA official titles: two World Cups, two Olympic Games, and fifteen Copa América championships.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Germany at the FIFA World Cup</span> Overview of Germany at the FIFA World Cup

    This is a record of the men's Germany and West Germany's results at the FIFA World Cup. For Germany's World Cup history, FIFA considers only the teams managed by the German Football Association, comprising three periods: Germany, West Germany and reunified Germany. The men's Germany national football team is one of the most successful national teams at the FIFA World Cup, winning four titles, earning second-place and third-place finishes four times each and one fourth-place finish. Germany's 12 podium finishes in 20 tournaments add up to at least three more than any other nation. In addition, Germany are the only team which has stood on the podium at least once during the completed decades in which at least one tournament was held. Along with Argentina, Brazil and Spain, they are one of the four national teams to win outside their continental confederation, with the title of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in South America. The team qualified for every FIFA World Cup tournament they have entered, the second most frequent, and only failed to reach the quarter-finals three times, in 1938, 2018, and 2022. With this, Germany's 8th place or better (quarter-finals) in 17 out of 20 tournaments (85%) ranks highest in FIFA World Cup finals history. It makes Germany the best team in the history of the tournament in terms of final positions, if points were awarded proportionally for a title, runner-up finish, third-place finish, semi-final and quarter-final appearances.

    In the CONCACAF fourth round of qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the United States, Costa Rica, and Honduras finished in the top three places and qualified directly for the 2014 World Cup. Mexico finished in fourth place and defeated New Zealand in the CONCACAF – OFC play-off to gain a spot in the World Cup. Mexico finished in fourth place ahead of Panama after the United States scored two goals against Panama in stoppage time in the final match of qualifying; had Panama retained its 2–1 lead, they would have finished in fourth place and eliminated Mexico on goals scored, who had qualified for the previous five World Cups.

    Iraq have appeared once in the FIFA World Cup which was in 1986. They ended up last place in their group with zero points, scoring only one goal.

    Group A of the 1986 FIFA World Cup was one of six groups of national teams competing at the 1986 FIFA World Cup. The group's first round of matches began on 31 May and its last matches were played on 10 June. Most matches were played at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City or at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla. Eventual champions Argentina topped the group, joined in the second round by 1982 champions Italy as well as Bulgaria. South Korea were making their first appearance in the tournament since 1954.

    Group B of the 1986 FIFA World Cup was one of the groups of nations competing at the 1986 FIFA World Cup. The group's first round of matches began on 3 June and its last matches were played on 11 June. Matches were played at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and at the Estadio Nemesio Díez in Toluca. Host Mexico topped the group, joined in the second round by Belgium and by Paraguay, who were making their first appearance in the finals since 1958. Iraq, making their debut in the World Cup, lost all three of their matches and scored just one goal.

    The FIFA World Cup is an international association football competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the first tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946, due to World War II.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Switzerland at the FIFA World Cup</span> Overview of the performance of Switzerland at the FIFA World Cup

    The FIFA World Cup, sometimes called the Football World Cup, but usually referred to simply as the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the first tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946 due to World War II.

    The FIFA World Cup is an international association football competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the first tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946, due to World War II.

    The FIFA World Cup is an international association football competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the first tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946, due to World War II.

    The FIFA World Cup is an international association football competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the first tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946, due to World War II.

    The fifth round of CONCACAF matches for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification was played from 11 November 2016 to 10 October 2017. Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, while Honduras advanced to the inter-confederation play-offs. The United States and Trinidad and Tobago were eliminated in this round.

    The 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA Group G was one of the nine UEFA groups for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification. The group consisted of six teams: Spain, Italy, Albania, Israel, Macedonia, and Liechtenstein.

    The 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA Group H was one of the nine UEFA groups for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification. The group consisted of six teams: Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Estonia, Cyprus, and Gibraltar.

    The third round of CONCACAF matches for 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, nicknamed the Octagonal, was played from September 2021 to March 2022. Canada, Mexico, and the United States qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, while Costa Rica advanced to the inter-confederation play-offs. Panama, Jamaica, El Salvador, and Honduras were eliminated in this round.

    References

    1. "Head-to-Head: Belgium v Russia". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2009.
    2. 1 2 3 4 This is one of several goals for which the statistical details are disputed. The goalscorers and timings used here are those of FIFA, the official record. Some other sources, such as RSSSF, state a different scorer, timing, or both. See "World Cup 1930 finals". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Archived from the original on 1 January 2007. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
    3. Guldemont 1978, p. ?.
    4. Bilic, Pierre (3 Oct 2013). "de Rode Duivels in het collectieve geheugen". Sport/Voetbalmagazine. Roeselare: Roularta Media Group NV.
    5. "Classic football - matches". FIFA . 26 Aug 2012. Archived from the original on March 15, 2013.
    6. Edworthy 1997, pp. 138–139.
    7. Witzig 2006, p. 167.
    8. "Scifo: I wouldn't change a thing". FIFA News. 14 Sep 2009. Archived from the original on September 22, 2009.
    9. Lisi 2011, p. 263.
    10. Witzig 2006, p. 289.
    11. "Scolari praises team effort". BBC Sport . 17 Jun 2002.
    12. "Belgium honoured with the FIFA Fair Play Award". FIFA News. 29 Jun 2002. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014.
    13. "Belgium at the World Cups - Goalscorers at World Cups". thefifaworldcups.com. Retrieved 18 January 2014.

    Bibliography