UEFA · Europe
Belgium
Les Diables Rouges · The Red Devils
Belgium's golden generation became the number one ranked team in the world — a once-in-a-generation group of players who delivered a stunning third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup and thrilled fans everywhere.
🎸Hey, I am Ace!
Hey! I am Ace! Belgium had one of the most exciting groups of players in world football for almost a decade — Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku all playing together! They were ranked number one in the world for seven years. That's incredible!
Quick Facts
Football Association Founded
RBFA — Royal Belgian Football Association, founded 1895
First International Match
1904 vs France — one of Europe's first international fixtures
Nickname
The Red Devils — Les Diables Rouges / De Rode Duivels
Home Stadium
King Baudouin Stadium (formerly Heysel), Brussels — capacity 50,093
Languages
Belgium has three official languages: French, Dutch (Flemish) and German
Domestic League
Belgian First Division A — one of Europe's most competitive mid-tier leagues
Discover Belgium
Belgium is a small but extraordinarily influential country in the heart of Western Europe, bordered by France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg. Brussels, the capital, is also the de facto capital of the European Union and home to NATO headquarters — making this compact nation one of the most politically important places on Earth. Despite its small size, Belgium has a rich and complex history as a crossroads between Germanic and Latin Europe.
Belgium is one of the world's most densely populated countries and has one of the highest qualities of life in Europe. It is a global leader in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and food production. Belgian chocolate, Belgian waffles, and Belgian beer are known and loved worldwide — Belgium has over 1,500 different types of beer and its beer culture is recognised by UNESCO. The city of Bruges, with its medieval canals and architecture, is one of Europe's most beautiful cities.
With a population of around 11 million people, Belgium is officially a trilingual country — French, Dutch (Flemish), and German are all national languages. This linguistic diversity reflects the country's complex identity, divided between the Dutch-speaking Flanders in the north and the French-speaking Wallonia in the south. Despite its divisions, Belgium has produced world-class talent in cycling, tennis, fashion, and — above all — football.
Map of Belgium
🌍 Where in the World
Flag of Belgium
Belgium's flag features three vertical bands of black, yellow, and red — the colours of the Duchy of Brabant, taken from its coat of arms. The design was inspired by the French Tricolore during the Belgian Revolution of 1830, when Belgium gained independence from the Netherlands.
🏟️ The History of Belgian Football
Belgium is one of football's founding nations — they were among the twelve original members who founded FIFA in 1904. They won Olympic gold in football in 1920 on home soil in Antwerp, and have been a part of football's global story ever since. For much of the 20th century, Belgium were a solid but rarely spectacular presence — reaching the World Cup semi-finals in 1986 as a highlight — but never quite fulfilling their potential.
That all changed in the 2010s, when a golden generation came of age simultaneously. Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Thibaut Courtois — almost all of them playing for the biggest clubs in the world — came together to form a squad ranked number one by FIFA for an extraordinary seven-year spell from 2015 to 2022. At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Belgium delivered their finest ever performance — eliminating Japan, Brazil and England on the way to a third-place finish.
Sadly, the golden generation never quite scaled the ultimate summit. A quarterfinal exit at Euro 2020 and group stage exits at the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024 signalled the end of an era. But Belgium is already producing the next wave of talented players, and a new chapter is beginning.
Key Results
- 1920🥇 Olympic Gold — Antwerp (host)
- 1986🔵 Semi-finals — Mexico
- 2014🔵 Quarter-finals — Brazil
- 2018🥉 Third place — Russia
- 2022❌ Group stage exit — Qatar
#1
FIFA World Ranking — Belgium held the top spot for a record 7+ years (2015–2022)
✨ Did You Know?
Founding Member of FIFA
Belgium was one of the twelve founding members of FIFA in 1904, making them one of football's original nations. They also won Olympic gold in football in 1920 when Antwerp hosted the Games — a moment of enormous national pride.
Seven Years at Number One
From 2015 to 2022, Belgium were ranked number one in the world by FIFA — a remarkable achievement for a small country of just 11 million people. No other nation has held the top spot for as long during the modern era.
The Greatest Comeback
At the 2018 World Cup, Belgium came back from 2-0 down against Japan to win 3-2 with a last-minute goal — one of the most dramatic comebacks in World Cup history. They then beat Brazil and England on the way to third place.
🌟 Famous Players
Belgium's golden generation produced some of the most celebrated players in world football — here are the legends who made the Red Devils famous.
Kevin De Bruyne
2010–presentWidely considered one of the greatest midfielders of his generation — a master of passing, vision and long-range shooting who has been the heartbeat of Manchester City's dominant era and a true Red Devils legend.
Eden Hazard
2008–2023Belgium's most creative and mercurial talent — a dribbler of extraordinary skill who lit up the Premier League with Chelsea before moving to Real Madrid. The talisman of the golden generation at their best.
Romelu Lukaku
2010–presentBelgium's all-time top scorer — a physically powerful, technically gifted striker who has scored for some of Europe's biggest clubs and carried the Red Devils' attacking threat throughout the golden generation.
Jean-Marie Pfaff
1976–1987Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of the 1980s — a flamboyant, brilliant shot-stopper who inspired Belgium's 1986 semi-final run and was voted the world's best goalkeeper multiple times.
Jan Ceulemans
1977–1990Belgium's most iconic player of the 1980s — a powerful, all-action midfielder and captain who led the team to their 1986 semi-final and was the heart and soul of Belgian football for over a decade.
Thibaut Courtois
2011–presentOne of the best goalkeepers in the world — won the Golden Glove at the 2018 World Cup and the Champions League with Real Madrid in 2022. A towering, commanding presence for both club and country.
📰 Recent Events
UEFA Euro 2020 — Quarter-Finals
Belgium's golden generation had one last chance at a major title — but Italy, who went on to win the tournament, knocked them out 2-1 in the quarter-finals in a tense, finely balanced match in Munich.
FIFA World Cup Qatar — Group Stage
Despite having one of the most talented squads in the tournament, Belgium crashed out in the group stage — wins over Canada were not enough after defeats to Morocco and a draw with Croatia ended their campaign.
UEFA Euro 2024 — Group Stage Exit
Belgium exited in the group stage of Euro 2024 in Germany, with star players at the end of their international careers. The golden generation era officially ended, opening the door for a new generation.
A New Generation Emerges
With Lois Openda, Amadou Onana and Johan Bakayoko among the new wave of Belgian talent, excitement is building for a fresh chapter. Belgium hope to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and reclaim their place among Europe's elite.
Explore More Football Nations
The golden generation may be fading, but Belgium has a proud history of producing world-class talent. With a new generation emerging, the Red Devils are ready to write exciting new chapters in 2026 and beyond.