BELGIUM NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM

The 'Belgium national football team' is the national football team of Belgium and is controlled by the Belgian Football Association.

History

Belgium played its first official game on May 1, 1904 in a 3-3 draw against France. Prior to this match, a Belgian selection played several matches, but the squad contained some English players, so these are not added to the caps. For example, Belgium beat Netherlands by 8-0 on April 28, 1901 with the help of some Englishmen. It was then decided that Belgium would play twice a year against Netherlands beginning from 1905, generally once in Antwerp and once in Rotterdam (later [{Amsterdam]]). At that time, the national squad was chosen by a committee of representatives of the 6 or 7 main clubs.
The team was nicknamed ''The Red Devils'' by journalist Pierre Walckiers after its 3:2 victory over Netherlands (Rotterdam, 1906).
Over the next six decades, Belgium established itself as a strong second-tier team, rarely in the running for winning a major tournament but never easy to handle at home or abroad. A key strength of the team was its systematic use of the offside trap, a defensive tactic developed in the 1960s at Anderlecht under French coach Pierre Sinibaldi.
The 1980s and early 1990s are generally considered the strongest period of the national team. Under the lead of Guy Thys, who coached more than 100 official games, Belgium established a reputation of being a physical, well-organized team that was hard to play against. The team's rigorous organization was reinforced by several world-class players such as goalkeeper Jean-Marie Pfaff, right-back Eric Gerets, midfielder Jan Ceulemans, and playmaker Enzo Scifo. Performances were typically poor against lower-ranked teams, but nearly always inspired against top teams. Until as recently as 2002, world-class national teams did not like the prospect of playing the ''Red Devils''--not even eventual champions Brazil, who won 2-0 with some difficulty in the knockout phase of the 2002 World Cup. Since then, however, the team has steadily slipped down the rankings, and has not been able to extend its past reputation.
After failing to qualify for the 2006 World Cup for the first time in 24 years, the contract of national coach Aimé Anthuenis was not renewed beyond 2005, and it was decided on December 22, 2005 that René Vandereycken would replace Anthuenis on January 1, 2006. On August 16 of that year, they started their new campaign against Kazakhstan and although the team had made the confidence of the home public grow through some promising performances from new talented young players against teams as Slovakia and Turkey, they played awfully and did not manage to get past the team from Kazakhstan. The situation got worse after also losing the home game against Poland on November 15 of that year. Qualification already seemed far away.

World Cup Record

Belgium's World Cup appearance record reflects the unusual depth of footballing talent for a country of this size, in the manner of the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, or Sweden. The country qualified for six successive World Cups - (1982-2002), a total only surpassed by Italy (12), Argentina (9) and Spain (8). 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.)
Playing inspired against other teams in the World Cup, they have reached the knockout phase five out of six times from 1982 to 2002, including a streak of four tournaments. One of their most famous victories was a 1-0 win over defending champions Argentina, in the first game of the '1982' World Cup held at Camp Nou with a great goal of Erwin Vandenbergh.
Four years later they achieved their best-ever World Cup run in '1986' when they placed fourth under command of players like Jan Ceulemans, Eric Gerets and Jean-Marie Pfaff. Belgium surprisely won against favourites Soviet-Union with stars such as Igor Belanov and Rinat Dasayev (3-4) after extra time. Belgium also beat Spain with penalties, but they lost to eventual champions Argentina in the semifinal (0-2). In the third-place match Belgium lost to France (2-4) after extra time. Captain and midfielder Jan Ceulemans was the first Belgian player to be selected in the All-Star Team of a World Cup.
Despite being knocked out in the 2nd round, the team's general performance in the '1990' was considered even better than 4 years before. Belgium dominated England, but eventually lost in the last minute of extra time after a goal by David Platt. Enzo Scifo was elected as best young player of the tournament.
In the '1994' World Cup Belgium lost to title defenders Germany in round 2. This match became most memorable because of a disputed decision by referee Kurt Röthlisberger. The team was not awarded a penalty when Josip Weber became tripped inside the penalty area. Michel Preud'homme was elected as best goalkeeper of the tournament and he was selected in the All-Star Team.
In '1998' Belgium were the only team, together with World Champion France not to lose one game. Three draws in the first round proved not enough, however, to reach the knock-out stage. It was the 4the time Enzo Scifo and Franky Van Der Elst appeared in a World Cup which is a Belgian record.
The FIFA World Cup '2002' started not very well for Belgium, but the team improved during the tournament. Captain Marc Wilmots was notable for scoring in every match of the first round. In the second round they had to play against eventual champions Brazil. Similar to 1994, the match was strongly influenced by a disputed referee decision. Even to the surprise of the Brazilians themselves, referee Peter Prendergast cancelled the 1-0 scored by Marc Wilmots. After this, the match went in favour of Brazil. Brazilian bondscoach Luiz Felipe Scolari would declare after the tournament that the match against the Red Devils had been the hardest for Brazil to win. The team did win the tournament's fair-play award. Marc Wilmots equaled the record of Enzo Scifo and Franky Van Der Elst to appear in 4 World Cups. He also scored his 5th World Cup goal against Russia, which made him the Belgian topscorer in World Cups.

★ 1930 - Round 1

★ 1934 - Round 1

★ 1938 - Round 1

★ 1950 - ''Withdrew''

★ 1954 - Round 1

★ 1958 - ''Did not qualify''

★ 1962 - ''Did not qualify''

★ 1966 - ''Did not qualify''

★ 1970 - Round 1

★ 1974 - ''Did not qualify''

★ 1978 - ''Did not qualify''

★ 1982 - Round 2

★ 1986 - Fourth place

★ 1990 - Round 2

★ 1994 - Round 2

★ 1998 - Round 1

★ 2002 - Round 2

★ 2006 - ''Did not qualify''

European Championship Record

Belgium's performance in the European Championships does not match its World Cup record. The best result is no doubt the unexpected second place at the 1980 edition in Italy after a narrow defeat (1-2) to West Germany in the final. Belgium hosted or co-hosted the event twice, finishing third in 1972 and being one of the major disappointments of the 2000 edition with a first-round exit.

★ 1960 - ''Did not qualify''

★ 1964 - ''Did not qualify''

★ 1968 - ''Did not qualify''

★ 1972 - Third place

★ 1976 - ''Did not qualify''

★ 1980 - Runners-up

★ 1984 - Round 1

★ 1988 - ''Did not qualify''

★ 1992 - ''Did not qualify''

★ 1996 - ''Did not qualify''

★ 2000 - Round 1

★ 2004 - ''Did not qualify''

Olympics Record

Belgium won the Olympic Gold Medal in 1920, and the Bronze Medal in 1900. On June 16, 2007, Belgium qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics Games through a 2-2 draw with their neighbors, the Netherlands. For more info, see 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship.

Selections tournaments

Current squad

The following players have all recently been called up to the Belgian squad.
Caps as of 22 August 2007

Distinguished players

As of August 22, 2007 the 40 most capped players for Belgium are:

#	Player	Belgium career	Caps	Sel.
1	Jan Ceulemans	1976-1991	96	99
2	Eric Gerets	1975-1991	86	94
=	Franky Van Der Elst	1984-1998	86	93
4	Vincenzo Scifo	1984-1998	84	87
5	Paul Van Himst	1960-1974	81	83
6	Georges Grün	1984-1995	77	81
7	Bart Goor ★	1999-	72	74
8	Lorenzo Staelens	1989-2000	70	82
=	Marc Wilmots	1990-2002	70	80
10	Victor Mees	1949-1960	68	73
11	Georges Heylens	1961-1973	67	68
12	Joseph Jurion	1955-1967	64	68
=	Jean-Marie Pfaff	1974-1987	64	84
14	Franky Vercauteren	1977-1989	63	71
=	Marc Degryse	1984-1996	63	67
16	Bernard Voorhoof	1928-1940	61	61
17	Michel Preud'homme	1978-1994	58	72
18	Eric Deflandre	1996-2005	57	67
=	Wilfried Van Moer	1966-1982	57	62
20	Joseph Mermans	1945-1956	56	67
=	Louis Carré	1948-1958	56	58
=	Luc Nilis	1988-2000	56	60
23	Mbo Mpenza ★	1997-	55	65
=	Michel Renquin	1975-1987	55	62
=	Timmy Simons ★	2001-	55	57
26	Emile Mpenza ★	1997-	54	55
=	Raymond Braine	1925-1939	54	54
28	Danny Boffin	1989-2002	53	70
=	Armand Swartenbroeks	1913-1928	53	53
30	René Vandereycken	1975-1986	50	60
=	Gert Verheyen	1994-2002	50	57
32	Wilfried Puis	1962-1975	49	50
33	Pierre Hanon	1956-1969	48	58
=	Erwin Vandenbergh	1979-1991	48	58
=	Léopold Anoul	1947-1954	48	50
=	Yves Vanderhaeghe	1999-2005	48	49
37	Rik Coppens	1949-1959	47	50
38	Walter Meeuws	1976-1984	46	52
=	Ludo Coeck	1974-1984	46	48
=	Pierre Braine	1922-1930	46	46

Other notable players who have represented Belgium include (note, this is not a comprehensive list):

Player	Belgium career	Caps	Sel.
François Van Der Elst	1973-1983	44	50
Geert De Vlieger ★	1998-	43	55
Michel De Wolf	1980-1994	42	66
Nico Van Kerckhoven	1996-2002	42	47
Victor Lemberechts	1945-1955	42	43
Philippe Albert	1987-1997	41	53
Robert Paverick	1935-1946	41	41
Leo Clijsters	1982-1991	40	53
Christian Piot	1969-1977	40	41
Jean Nicolay	1959-1967	39	47
Florimond Van Halme	1921-1930	39	39
Philippe Clement ★	1998-	38	47
Paul Vandenberg	1957-1967	38	43
Alfons Van Brandt	1950-1958	38	43
Daniel Van Buyten ★	2001-	38	42
Stéphane Demol	1986-1991	38	38
Marc Emmers	1988-1994	37	39
Wesley Sonck ★	2001-	37	37
Jean De Bie	1920-1930	37	37
Johan Walem	1991-2002	36	47
Glen De Boeck	1993-2002	36	46
Nico Claesen	1983-1990	36	41
Nicolas Hoydonckx	1928-1933	36	36
Léon Semmeling	1961-1973	35	42
Jean Dockx	1967-1976	35	42
Julien Cools	1974-1980	35	37
Désiré Bastin	1920-1932	35	35
Luc Millecamps	1979-1983	35	35
Eric Van Meir	1993-2002	34	58
Jean Thissen	1968-1977	34	35
Arnold Badjou	1930-1939	34	34
Louis Versyp	1928-1936	34	34
Jean Capelle	1931-1939	34	34
Filip De Wilde	1984-2000	33	68
Jan Verheyen	1965-1976	33	50
Henri Meert	1944-1957	33	48
Raoul Lambert	1966-1977	33	38
Rudi Smidts	1989-1997	33	35
Jean Plaskie	1964-1971	33	35
Nico Dewalque	1967-1975	33	34
Martin Lippens	1957-1963	33	34
Patrick Vervoort	1986-1991	32	41
Jacques Stockman	1958-1967	32	40
Erwin Vandendaele	1970-1977	32	36
Alexandre Czerniatynski	1981-1994	31	42
Marcel Dries	1953-1959	31	41
Luis Oliveira	1992-1999	31	31
Emile Stijnen	1932-1939	31	31
Henri Dirickx	1951-1960	29	58
Thomas Buffel ★	2002-	29	29
Bruno Versavel	1988-1995	28	30
Walter Baseggio ★	1999-	27	31
Philippe Léonard	1994-2006	26	37
Bertrand Crasson	1991-2001	26	37
Maurice Martens	1970-1980	26	36
Stanley Vanden Eynde	1931-1938	26	26
Gilles De Bilde	1994-2000	25	27
René Verheyen	1976-1984	24	49
Hugo Broos	1974-1986	24	31
Joseph Musch	1911-1924	24	24
Louis Saeys	1907-1914	24	24
Johan Devrindt	1964-1975	23	29
Ferdinand Adams	1924-1930	23	23
Vital Borkelmans	1989-1998	22	35
Odilon Polleunis	1968-1975	22	29
Eddy Voordeckers	1978-1985	22	29
Régis Genaux	1992-2000	22	27
Henri Larnoe	1920-1925	22	22
Peter Van Der Heyden ★	2001-	21	32
Luigi Pieroni ★	2004-	21	25
Carl Hoefkens ★	1999-	19	24
Marc Van Der Linden	1983-1990	19	22
Joos Valgaeren	1999-2004	19	22
Raymond Mommens	1977-1988	18	47
Sven Vermant	1995-2004	18	22
Jacky Peeters	1999-2002	17	27
Anthony Vanden Borre ★	2004-	17	24
Guy Vandersmissen	1982-1987	17	20
Roger Claessen	1961-1968	17	19
Branko Strupar	1999-2002	17	19
Vincent Kompany ★	2004-	17	17
Jelle Van Damme ★	2003-	16	19
Henri Isemborghs	1935-1939	16	16
Gilbert Van Binst	1972-1977	15	23
Marc Baecke	1977-1984	15	22
Marc Hendrikx	1999-2001	15	22
Gordan Vidović	1997-1999	15	19
Robert Coppée	1919-1924	15	15
Philippe Desmet	1984-1987	14	20
Olivier Deschacht ★	2003-	14	19
Michaël Goossens	1993-2001	14	18
Fernand Nisot	1911-1920	14	14
Robert Braet	1931-1938	14	14
Kevin Vandenbergh ★	2004-	13	21
Leo Van Der Elst	1983-1987	13	20
Pascal Renier	1994-1996	13	20
Bob Peeters	1997-2002	13	18
Gerard Plessers	1979-1985	13	17
Karel Geraerts ★	2005-	13	17
Roberto Bisconti	2004-2005	13	15
Stijn Stijnen ★	2006-	13	13
Gunther Schepens	1995-1997	13	13
Gilbert Bodart	1985-1995	12	55
Daniel Veyt	1985-1989	12	26
Albert De Cleyn	1946-1948	12	12
Jean Trappeniers	1964-1970	11	18
Sandy Martens	1995-2003	11	15
Léon Jeck	1967-1970	11	15
Guy Dardenne	1977-1980	11	15
Olivier De Cock	2002-2005	11	12
Silvio Proto ★	2004-	11	11
Henri De Deken	1930-1933	11	11
Theo Custers	1977-1982	10	29
Tjörven De Brul	1996-1999	10	22
Thomas Vermaelen ★	2006-	10	10
Robert Van Kerkhoven	1951-1957	9	37
Gaëtan Englebert ★	1999-	9	21
Koen Daerden ★	2002-	9	14
Stefaan Tanghe	1999-2002	9	13
Jacky Munaron	1981-1987	8	44
Philippe Vande Walle	1988-1999	8	30
Fernand Boone	1962-1969	8	20
Hippolyte Van Den Bosch	1953-1957	8	15
Ronny Gaspercic	1998-2001	8	15
Tom Soetaers ★	2002-	8	14
Steven Defour ★	2006-	8	11
Gaby Mudingayi ★	2003-	8	10
Frédéric Pierre	1996-1999	8	10
Moussa Dembele ★	2006-	8	8
Emmanuel Karagiannis	1995-1998	8	8
Fernand Goyvaerts	1959-1961	8	8
Josip Weber	1994-1994	8	8
Frédéric Herpoel	1999-2005	7	39
Willy Wellens	1976-1981	7	11
Stein Huysegems ★	2004-	7	11
Toni Brogno	1998-2000	7	11
Chris Janssens	1998-1999	7	9
Francis Severeyns	1988-1994	7	8
Marc Millecamps	1976-1982	6	17
Olivier Doll	1997-2005	6	12
Peter Van Houdt	1999-2002	6	10
Mike Verstraeten	1997-1998	6	10
Jozef Vliers	1954-1963	6	9
Walter De Greef	1979-1984	6	5
Paul Lambrichts	1984-1984	6	5
Bernd Thijs	1999-2003	5	14
Pasal Plovie	1987-1992	5	11
Frank Dauwen	1991-1992	5	11
Jos Daerden	1982-1984	5	8
Jurgen Cavens	1999-2001	5	6
Albert De Roover	1997-1997	5	6
Stéphane Van Der Heyden	1991-1994	4	13
Maurits De Schrijver	1981-1982	4	10
Michel De Groote	1981-1985	4	6
Gert Claessens	1996-1998	4	6
Jonathan Walasiak ★	2003-	4	6
Tristan Peersman ★	2004-	4	5
Gregory Dufer ★	2004-	4	5
Marouane Fellaini ★	2007-	4	4
Gunter Verjans	1995-1996	4	4
Jean Petit	1938-1938	4	4
Dominique Lemoine	1997-1997	4	4
Jean-François De Sart	1989-1990	3	12
Geoffrey Claeys	1996-1998	3	8
Georges Leekens	1973-1978	3	6
Davy Oyen	1998-1999	3	6
Mark De Man ★	2006-	3	5
Maarten Martens ★	2007-	3	5
Thomas Chatelle ★	2004-	3	4
François Sterchele ★	2007-	3	4
Peter Crève	1984-1988	3	4
Frédéric Peiremans	1996-1996	3	4
Daniel Kimoni	1999-1999	3	4
Gill Swerts ★	2006-	3	3
Brian Vandenbussche ★	2006-	2	8
David Brocken	1997-2000	2	6
Nicolas Lombaerts ★	2005-	2	5
Erwin Lemmens	1999-2004	2	5
Tom De Mul ★	2004-	2	3
Jos Heyligen	1973-1980	2	3
Alain Bettagno	1992-1995	2	3
Cédric Roussel	2003-2003	2	3
Jan Vertonghen ★	2007-	2	2
Pieter Collen ★	2006-	2	2
Nordin Jbari	1996-1997	2	2
Christophe Lauwers	1996-1996	2	2
Dirk Huysmans	1995-1995	2	1
Dany Verlinden	1993-1998	1	15
Franky Vandendriessche	2002-2003	1	6
Filip Haagdoren	1995-1997	1	5
Wim De Decker ★	2006-	1	4
Gunther Hofmans	1991-1992	1	4
Filip Daems	1999-2004	1	2
Dimitri M'Buyu	1987-1987	1	2
Alain De Nil	1992-1992	1	2
Davy Schollen ★	2006-	1	2
Birger Maertens ★	2005-	1	2
Kevin Mirallas ★	2007-	1	1
Faris Haroun ★	2007-	1	1

the
★ denotes a player still playing or available for selection.

Top Belgium goalscorers

''As of August 22, 2007:''

#	Player	Belgium career	Goals (Caps)
1	Bernard Voorhoof	1928-1940	30 (61)
=	Paul Van Himst	1960-1974	30 (81)
3	Marc Wilmots	1990-2002	28 (70)
4	Joseph Mermans	1945-1956	27 (56)
5	Robert De Veen	1906-1913	26 (23)
=	Stanley Vanden Eynde	1931-1938	9 (26)
=	Raymond Braine	1925-39	26 (54)
8	Marc Degryse	1984-96	23 (63)
=	Jan Ceulemans	1976-91	23 (96)
10	Rik Coppens	1949-1959	21 (47)
11	Léopold Anoul	1947-1954	20 (48)
=	Erwin Vandenbergh	1979-1991	20 (48)
13	Jean Capelle	1931-1939	19 (34)
14	Raoul Lambert	1966-1977	18 (33)
=	Vincenzo Scifo	1984-1998	18 (84)
16	Emile Mpenza ★	1997-	17 (54)
17	Paul Vandenberg	1957-1967	16 (38)
18	Johan Devrindt	1964-1975	15 (23)
=	Wesley Sonck ★	2001-	15 (37)
20	Victor Lemberechts	1945-1955	14 (42)
=	François Van Der Elst	1973-1983	14 (44)
22	Jacques Stockman	1958-1967	13 (32)
=	Bart Goor ★	1999-	13 (72)
24	Nico Claesen	1983-1990	12 (36)
25	Henri Larnoe	1920-1925	11 (22)
=	Fernand Nisot	1911-1920	10 (14)
=	Odilon Polleunis	1968-1975	10 (22)
=	Gert Verheyen	1994-2002	10 (50)
=	Luc Nilis	1988-2000	10 (56)
30	Albert De Cleyn	1946-1948	9 (12)
=	Robert Coppée	1919-1924	9 (15)
=	Marc Van Der Linden	1983-1990	9 (19)
=	Ferdinand Adams	1924-1930	9 (23)
=	Louis Saeys	1907-1914	9 (24)
=	Wilfried Puis	1962-1975	9 (49)
=	Wilfried Van Moer	1966-1982	9 (57)
=	Franky Vercauteren	1977-1989	9 (63)
=	Joseph Jurion	1955-1967	9 (64)

the
★ denotes a player still playing or available for selection.

Coaches

Before 1910, a committee of the Belgian federation selected the players.

★ 1910-1913: William Maxwell

★ 1914: Charles Bunyan

★ 1920-1928: William Maxwell

★ 1928-1930: Victor Löwenfelt

★ 1930-1934: Hector Goetinck

★ 1935: Jules Turnauer

★ 1935-1940: Jack Butler

★ 1944-1946: François Demol

★ 1947-1953: Bill Gormlie

★ 1953-1954: Dougall Livingstone

★ 1955-1957: André Vandeweyer

★ 1957 (caretaker): Louis Nicolay

★ 1957-1958: Geza Toldi

★ 1958-1968: Constant Vanden Stock

★ June 19, 1968-April 26, 1976: Raymond Goethals

★ May 22, 1976-June 9, 1989: Guy Thys

★ July 23, 1989-February 21, 1990: Walter Meeuws

★ May 26, 1990-May 1, 1991: Guy Thys

★ September 1, 1991-March 25, 1996: Paul Van Himst

★ October 8, 1996-December 27, 1996: Wilfried Van Moer

★ February 11, 1997-August 18, 1999: Georges Leekens

★ August 20, 1999-June 30, 2002: Robert Waseige

★ August 21, 2002-December 31, 2005: Aimé Anthuenis

★ since January 1, 2006: René Vandereycken

Links:

Belgium national under-21 football team
Belgium national youth football team (U-17, U-18, U-19, U20, U23 Squads)

External links

★ Footbel.be website - Belgian FA official website

★ Footbel.be/National team statistics page/

★ The Red Devils Archive

★ RSSSF archive of results 1904-

★ RSSSF archive of most capped players and highest goalscorers

★ RSSSF archive of coaches 1904-

★ IFFHS Archive:1904-1910

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