Belgium at the World Cup
Belgium were one of the 13 teams in the inaugural World Cup in 1930. One of Belgium's best results were finishing in fourth place in 1986.
In 2018, Belgium outclassed England in the third-place play-off to clinch their best-ever World Cup finish.
Belgium again qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, though had a disappointing campaign. They progress past the group stage with just one win, a draw and a loss.
Trivia
- The inaugural FIFA World Cup final in 1930 was officiated by Belgian referee John Langenus.
- Belgium goalkeeper Michael Preud'homme abandoned his good luck ritual in USA 94 of wearing a Standard Leige shirt (his first club) under his national jersey because of the heat.
- A free-kick goal by Belgian Enzo Scifo was disallowed in the group match against Paraguay on 11 June 1986 because it was an indirect free kick. This was not the only time that a player made such a careless mistake in World Cup finals. Experienced Bulgarian player Hristo Stoichkov also had a goal disallowed for the same reason in a 1994 finals match against Nigeria.
Related Pages
- List of all countries who have participated in the World Cup
- FIFA World Cup Home
- Belgium at the UEFA Euros
- About Sport in Belgium
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