The days when the Red Devils, with their entire golden generation, were among the favourites to win major tournaments seem to be over. But they are still serious outsiders at the Euro 2024, which kicks off in Munich on Friday. The Devils inherited a good draw for the group phase.
Romania, ranked 46th in the FIFA rankings, will be taking part in a major tournament for the first time since 2016.
Relatively unknown in Belgium, Slovakia, ranked 48th, has qualified for the Euro final stage three times in a row but has never advanced past the last 16. The latter feat, their best performance, was seen once at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Torn apart by war, Ukraine qualified in the play-offs in the spring and, as a result, have become the Devils highest-ranked opponent: 22nd in the FIFA rankings.
Belgium's Amadou Onana and Belgium's Romelu Lukaku celebrate after scoring during a friendly soccer match between Belgian national soccer team Red Devils and the national team of Luxembourg (3-0), at the King Baudouin Stadium, in Brussels, Saturday 08 June 2024. Credit: Belga / Virginie Lefour
The Devils will play their first match on Monday 17 June (18:00) in Frankfurt against Slovakia. Five days later, on Saturday 22 June (21:00), they take on Romania in Cologne. This match will be of particular interest to Belgian fans, as it will be played not far from the border. At Euro 2016, many Belgian fans travelled to Lille for the quarterfinal against Wales. On Wednesday 26 June (18:00), the Devils will close the group phase against Ukraine in Stuttgart.
Should Belgium top their group, the team will head to Munich's Allianz Arena for the last 16 on Tuesday 2 July. On Tuesday 2 July (18:00), they will face the third-placed team from groups A, B, C or D. 16 potential opponents, then, with a potentially difficult task ahead.
Group B includes Spain, Italy and Croatia. The possible quarterfinal will be played on Saturday 6 July (21:00) at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, with France as a potential opponent. At first sight, the possible second round looks a lot more difficult for the Belgians.
Unbeaten for 1 and a half years
Still unbeaten just under a year and a half after his appointment, Domenico Tedesco led the Belgians to the Euro with an almost faultless record. The Devils boast tremendous pace down the flanks, the efficiency of Romelu Lukaku and the football acumen of Kevin De Bruyne. Belgium will therefore be an opponent to avoid for many countries.
The problem remains the defence, and there are still question marks over the names of Jan Vertonghen, the record holder for most caps, and Arthur Theate, as well as midfielder Youri Tielemans. Axel Witsel has also been brought back from international retirement. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is not on the 25-man list due to fallout with the coach, leaving Koen Casteels as the last line of defence.
