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.
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.
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.
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | United States | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 4 | Advance to the knockout stage |
2 | Paraguay | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 2 | |
3 | Belgium | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | −4 | 0 |
Paraguay | 1–0 | Belgium |
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Vargas Peña 40' [2] | Report |
The group stage used in the first World Cup was discarded in favour of a straight knockout tournament.
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.
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | England | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 3 | Advance to the knockout stage |
2 | Switzerland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 2 [lower-alpha 1] | |
3 | Italy | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 2 [lower-alpha 1] | |
4 | Belgium | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 8 | −3 | 1 |
England | 4–4 (a.e.t.) | Belgium |
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Broadis 26', 63' Lofthouse 36', 91' | Report | Anoul 5', 71' Coppens 67' Dickinson 94' (o.g.) |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Soviet Union | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 5 [lower-alpha 1] | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | Mexico | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 5 [lower-alpha 1] | |
3 | Belgium | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 2 | |
4 | El Salvador | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | −9 | 0 |
Soviet Union | 4–1 | Belgium |
---|---|---|
Byshovets 14', 63' Asatiani 57' Khmelnytskyi 76' | Report | Lambert 86' |
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.
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Belgium | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 5 | Advance to second round |
2 | Argentina | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 4 | |
3 | Hungary | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 6 | +6 | 3 | |
4 | El Salvador | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 13 | −12 | 0 |
Argentina | 0–1 | Belgium |
---|---|---|
Report | Vandenbergh 62' |
Belgium | 1–0 | El Salvador |
---|---|---|
Coeck 19' | Report |
Belgium | 1–1 | Hungary |
---|---|---|
Czerniatynski 76' | Report | Varga 27' |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Poland | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 3 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | Soviet Union | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 | |
3 | Belgium | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | −4 | 0 |
Belgium | 0–1 | Soviet Union |
---|---|---|
Report | Oganesian 48' |
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.
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mexico (H) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 5 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | Paraguay | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 | |
3 | Belgium | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 | |
4 | Iraq | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 0 |
Soviet Union | 3–4 (a.e.t.) | Belgium |
---|---|---|
Belanov 27', 70', 111' (pen.) | Report | Scifo 56' Ceulemans 77' Demol 102' Claesen 110' |
Spain | 1–1 (a.e.t.) | Belgium |
---|---|---|
Señor 85' | Report | Ceulemans 35' |
Penalties | ||
Señor Eloy Chendo Butragueño Víctor | 4 – 5 | Claesen Scifo Broos Vervoort L. Van Der Elst |
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]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Spain | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 5 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | Belgium | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 4 | |
3 | Uruguay | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 3 | |
4 | South Korea | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | −5 | 0 |
Belgium | 2–0 | South Korea |
---|---|---|
Degryse 53' De Wolf 64' | Report |
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.
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Netherlands | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | Saudi Arabia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 6 | |
3 | Belgium | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 6 | |
4 | Morocco | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 0 |
Belgium | 1–0 | Netherlands |
---|---|---|
Albert 65' | Report |
Belgium | 0–1 | Saudi Arabia |
---|---|---|
Report | Al-Owairan 5' |
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.
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Netherlands | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 5 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | Mexico | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 5 | |
3 | Belgium | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
4 | South Korea | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 9 | −7 | 1 |
Netherlands | 0–0 | Belgium |
---|---|---|
Report |
Belgium | 1–1 | South Korea |
---|---|---|
Nilis 7' | Report | Yoo Sang-Chul 71' |
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]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Japan (H) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | Belgium | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 5 | |
3 | Russia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 | |
4 | Tunisia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | −4 | 1 |
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.
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Belgium | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 9 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | Algeria | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 4 | |
3 | Russia | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 2 | |
4 | South Korea | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 1 |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Belgium | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 9 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | England | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 6 | |
3 | Tunisia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 8 | −3 | 3 | |
4 | Panama | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 11 | −9 | 0 |
Belgium | 5–2 | Tunisia |
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E. Hazard 6' (pen.), 51' Lukaku 16', 45+3' Batshuayi 90' | Report | Bronn 18' Khazri 90+3' |
Belgium | 3–2 | Japan |
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Vertonghen 69' Fellaini 74' Chadli 90+4' | Report | Haraguchi 48' Inui 52' |
Brazil | 1–2 | Belgium |
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Renato Augusto 76' | Report | Fernandinho 13' (o.g.) De Bruyne 31' |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Morocco | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 7 | Advanced to knockout stage |
2 | Croatia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 5 | |
3 | Belgium | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 4 | |
4 | Canada | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | −5 | 0 |
Champions Runners-up Third place Fourth place
FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Year | Host(s) | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pos. | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1930 | Uruguay | Group stage | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Squad | Participated as invitees | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1934 | Italy | Round of 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | Squad | 2nd | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1938 | France | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | Squad | 2nd | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1950 | Brazil | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1954 | Switzerland | Group stage | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 8 | Squad | 1st | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1958 | Sweden | Did not qualify | 2nd | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1962 | Chile | 3rd | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1966 | England | Play-off | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1970 | Mexico | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | Squad | 1st | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1974 | West Germany | Did not qualify | 2nd | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1978 | Argentina | 2nd | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1982 | Spain | Second group stage | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | Squad | 1st | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1986 | Mexico | Fourth place | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 15 | Squad | Play-off | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1990 | Italy | Round of 16 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 4 | Squad | 1st | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 15 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1994 | United States | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | Squad | 2nd | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1998 | France | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | Squad | Play-off | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 23 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2002 | South Korea Japan | Round of 16 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 7 | Squad | Play-off | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 27 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2006 | Germany | Did not qualify | 4th | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 16 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 | South Africa | 4th | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 13 | 20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | Brazil | Quarter-finals | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | Squad | 1st | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | Russia | Third place | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 6 | Squad | 1st | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 43 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | Qatar | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Squad | 1st | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 25 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2026 | Canada | To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2030 | Morocco | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | Third place | 51 | 21 | 10 | 20 | 69 | 74 | — | 14/22 | 141 | 83 | 27 | 31 | 302 | 147 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Belgium's World Cup record | |
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First Match | United States 3–0 Belgium (13 July 1930; Montevideo, Uruguay) |
Biggest Win | Belgium 3–0 El Salvador (3 June 1970; Mexico City, Mexico) Belgium 3–0 Panama (18 June 2018; Sochi, Russia) Belgium 5–2 Tunisia (23 June 2018; Moscow, Russia) |
Biggest Defeat | United States 3–0 Belgium (13 July 1930; Montevideo, Uruguay) Germany 5–2 Belgium (27 May 1934; Florence, Italy) Italy 4–1 Belgium (20 June 1954; Lugano, Switzerland) Soviet Union 4–1 Belgium (6 June 1970; Mexico City, Mexico) Poland 3–0 Belgium (28 June 1982; Barcelona, Spain) |
Best Result | Third place at the 2018 |
Worst Result | Group stage in 1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1970, 1998 and 2022 |
List of FIFA World Cup matches | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Opponent | Score | Result | Record |
1930 | Round 1 | United States | 0–3 | Loss | 0–0–1 |
Round 1 | Paraguay | 0–1 | Loss | 0–0–2 | |
1934 | Round 1 | Germany | 2–5 | Loss | 0–0–3 |
1938 | Round 1 | France | 1–3 | Loss | 0–0–4 |
1954 | Group stage | England | 4–4 ( a.e.t. ) | Draw | 0–1–4 |
Group stage | Italy | 1–4 | Loss | 0–1–5 | |
1970 | Group stage | El Salvador | 3–0 | Win | 1–1–5 |
Group stage | Soviet Union | 1–4 | Loss | 1–1–6 | |
Group stage | Mexico | 0–1 | Loss | 1–1–7 | |
1982 | Group stage 1 | Argentina | 1–0 | Win | 2–1–7 |
Group stage 1 | El Salvador | 1–0 | Win | 3–1–7 | |
Group stage 1 | Hungary | 1–1 | Draw | 3–2–7 | |
Group stage 2 | Poland | 0–3 | Loss | 3–2–8 | |
Group stage 2 | Soviet Union | 0–1 | Loss | 3–2–9 | |
1986 | Group stage | Mexico | 1–2 | Loss | 3–2–10 |
Group stage | Iraq | 2–1 | Win | 4–2–10 | |
Group stage | Paraguay | 2–2 | Draw | 4–3–10 | |
Round of 16 | Soviet Union | 4–3 ( a.e.t. ) | Win | 5–3–10 | |
Quarter-final | Spain | 1–1 ( a.e.t. ) (5–4 p) | Draw | 5–4–10 | |
Semi-final | Argentina | 0–2 | Loss | 5–4–11 | |
Third-place match | France | 2–4 | Loss | 5–4–12 | |
1990 | Group stage | South Korea | 2–0 | Win | 6–4–12 |
Group stage | Uruguay | 3–1 | Win | 7–4–12 | |
Group stage | Spain | 1–2 | Loss | 7–4–13 | |
Round of 16 | England | 0–1 ( a.e.t. ) | Loss | 7–4–14 | |
1994 | Group stage | Morocco | 1–0 | Win | 8–4–14 |
Group stage | Netherlands | 1–0 | Win | 9–4–14 | |
Group stage | Saudi Arabia | 0–1 | Loss | 9–4–15 | |
Round of 16 | Germany | 2–3 | Loss | 9–4–16 | |
1998 | Group stage | Netherlands | 0–0 | Draw | 9–5–16 |
Group stage | Mexico | 2–2 | Draw | 9–6–16 | |
Group stage | South Korea | 1–1 | Draw | 9–7–16 | |
2002 | Group stage | Japan | 2–2 | Draw | 9–8–16 |
Group stage | Tunisia | 1–1 | Draw | 9–9–16 | |
Group stage | Russia | 3–2 | Win | 10–9–16 | |
Round of 16 | Brazil | 0–2 | Loss | 10–9–17 | |
2014 | Group stage | Algeria | 2–1 | Win | 11–9–17 |
Group stage | Russia | 1–0 | Win | 12–9–17 | |
Group stage | South Korea | 1–0 | Win | 13–9–17 | |
Round of 16 | United States | 2–1 ( a.e.t. ) | Win | 14–9–17 | |
Quarter-final | Argentina | 0–1 | Loss | 14–9–18 | |
2018 | Group stage | Panama | 3–0 | Win | 15–9–18 |
Group stage | Tunisia | 5–2 | Win | 16–9–18 | |
Group stage | England | 1–0 | Win | 17–9–18 | |
Round of 16 | Japan | 3–2 | Win | 18–9–18 | |
Quarter-final | Brazil | 2–1 | Win | 19–9–18 | |
Semi-final | France | 0–1 | Loss | 19–9–19 | |
Third-place match | England | 2–0 | Win | 20–9–19 | |
2022 | Group stage | Canada | 1–0 | Win | 21–9–19 |
Group stage | Morocco | 0–2 | Loss | 21–9–20 | |
Group stage | Croatia | 0–0 | Draw | 21–10–20 |
Rank | Player | Matches | World Cups |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Enzo Scifo | 17 | 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998 |
2 | Jan Ceulemans | 16 | 1982, 1986 and 1990 |
3 | Franky van der Elst | 14 | 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998 |
4 | Eric Gerets | 12 | 1982, 1986 and 1990 |
Thibaut Courtois | 12 | 2014,2018 and 2022 | |
6 | Franky Vercauteren | 11 | 1982 and 1986 |
Stéphane Demol | 11 | 1986 and 1990 | |
Georges Grün | 11 | 1986, 1990 and 1994 | |
Eden Hazard | 11 | 2014,2018 and 2022 | |
Dries Mertens | 11 | 2014,2018 and 2022 | |
Jan Vertonghen | 11 | 2014 and 2018 | |
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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.
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.
This is a record of Uruguay's results at the FIFA World Cup. Uruguay have won two. Not 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 two time world champions and allows the team to wear two 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.
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.
This is a record of the Netherlands at the FIFA World Cup. The Netherlands entered qualification for 19 of the 22 FIFA World Cup tournaments to date, qualifying 11 times. They have a record of 3 World Cup final appearances without winning the tournament.
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 1986 FIFA World Cup knockout stage was the second and final stage of the 1986 FIFA World Cup finals in Mexico. The stage began on 15 June 1986, and ended with the final at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on 29 June 1986.
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 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 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.