2022 FIFA World Cup Team Preview: Belgium

Belgium World Cup Team Preview

Belgium

FIFA Ranking: 2
Manager: Roberto Martínez
Federation: UEFA
Group: Belgium, Croatia, Canada, Morocco
Odds to win World Cup: +2000, FanDuel Sportsbook
Odds to win Group F: -149, PointsBet
Odds to advance in Group F: -600, FanDuel Sportsbook

How did Belgium qualify for the World Cup?

By sheer dominance. Belgium went undefeated in qualifying scoring 25 goals and conceding six goals in their eight matches.

Who is Belgium’s most important player?

Kevin De Bruyne

If you are new to football, De Bruyne is a top-10 player in the world. He’s an attacking midfielder who can do whatever he wants with the ball. He has incredible vision and is arguably the best spot-kick/dead-ball striker in the world. At age 31, this is potentially De Bruyne’s last World Cup, and if not his last, his last in his prime.

What are Belgium’s strengths, weaknesses, style of play and form?

Belgium will play a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 depending on who you ask with De Bruyne and Eden Hazard playing behind Romelu Lukaku and a back three of Vertonghen, Alderweiereld and Debast. This is an attacking minded team always looking to score.

Although Belgium have arguably the best goalkeeper in the world in Thibaut Courtois, their strength is their attacking three of De Bruyne, Hazard and Lukaku.

Belgium’s biggest weakness is probably their age and lack of pace in the back. Their current fitness is also potentially an issue with Lukaku still nursing back from an injury in August and Eden Hazard playing very little club football this season.

Belgium struggled against the Netherlands in the Nations Cup but did not play a full squad either. They have matches against Iraq and Egypt as World Cup tune ups.

What is Belgium’s World Cup Outlook?

This is probably the last time we see Belgium’s golden generation play all together in a major tournament. Over the last decade, this Belgium side has been labeled the next great footballing dynasty and have fallen short in every major tournament. Being priced at +1000, books do not view Belgium to be a World Cup winning thread as they have in previous tournaments. A big reason why is their path to the finals. Belgium is expected to win this group, which would lead to a path of having to play one of Germany or Spain in the Round of 16 and then most likely Brazil in the Quarter Finals. This is still a team with immense talent and the ability to go on a run though, the key question will be whether their aging back three will be able to defend. In 2018, they finished third in the World Cup.

Best Belgium World Cup Bet

Belgium Group F Winner (-149, PointsBet)

Croatia is certainly a threat to win this group and Belgium have not been in the best form, but -149 is still a value in my mind for one of the most talented teams in Qatar. You can also get this on FanDuel Sportsbook at -150.