Belgium’s third World Cup quarter-final in 12 years defies the doubters

For the third time in four editions, Belgium has reached the World Cup quarter-finals. That feat has never been achieved by such a small nation in the tournament’s history. The Red Devils’ new generation has delivered a statement without relying on Thomas Meunier, Jérémy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne or Romelu Lukaku. Their collective depth has kept Belgium among the world’s elite. Belgium’s golden generation was long seen as the country’s only realistic chance to lift the World Cup trophy. Yet even without claiming the ultimate prize, the current squad has maintained the nation’s standing among the global top eight.

Belgium refuses to drop FIFA case over Balogun despite World Cup win

Euro 2021, the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024 all ended in disappointment, yet these setbacks have not erased the significance of three quarter-final appearances since 2014. Only Germany, the Netherlands and Italy can rival such consistency over the past twelve years. The current squad has sent a clear message: Belgium remains a force to be reckoned with, even beyond the era of its most famous names. The bench strength on display offers fresh hope for the future. Belgium’s latest World Cup run proves that the country is not destined to slip back into irrelevance. The Red Devils’ campaign still holds room for improvement, but the foundation is firmly in place. The next challenge will be to build on this momentum and push for even greater heights in the tournaments still to come.