Belgium World Cup 2022 – One Last Chance for the “Golden Generation”
Four years on from a record high 3rd placed finish at the 2018 World Cup, Belgium head to Qatar at the tail end of their golden generation.
With an average age of 29, The Red Devils join Iran as the oldest squad at the 2022 World Cup.
As many as 16 players in their team of 26 went to the previous tournament in Russia, nine of which also featured in 2014 in Brazil.
Yet they’re ranked second on FIFA’s World Rankings so expectations may still be high for some.
Goalkeepers
Manager Roberto Martinez has opted for the same three goalkeepers he picked back in 2018.
Thibault Courtois, Simon Mignolet, and Koeen Casteels all return, with Courtois maintaining his spot as number one.
With them all 30 years old or older, you may have expected a younger alternative to emerge and oust one of them from their spot, but none have materialised.
Defence
There are also recalls for veterans Jan Vertoghen and Toby Alderweireld in central defence.
The former Tottenham teammates have since decided to continue their club careers at home with Anderlecht and Royal Antwerp respectively.
Vertonghen, 35, is currently Belgium’s record appearance maker with 141.
Thomas Meunier also returns at fullback.
The PSG left-back has recovered from a fractured cheekbone, which he suffered last month.
Midfield
Meunier’s former Borussia Dortmund teammate Axel Witsel also maintains his place in the side.
Now playing at Atletico Madrid in La Liga, the midfielder has the second most caps for Belgium of all time with 126.
His Atletico Madrid teammate Yannick Carrasco is another 2018 returnee.
The winger has been used as more of a left wingback by Martinez in recent games.
Two players from the Premier League are both appearing in their second World Cup this year.
Leicester’s Youri Tielemans and Aston Villa’s Leander Dendoncker were youngsters, travelling to the 2018 World Cup for experience.
But now both are imperative to the Belgian midfield, assisting in a variety of roles both in defence and attack.
The Hazard brothers also remain.
Thorgan, the younger of the two at 29, is a teammate of Meunier at Dortmund.
The midfielder’s versatility makes him a valuable option for Martinez, who can deploy him in a number of roles.
Older brother Eden, 31, has been a regular and essential feature for the Belgium side in the last decade.
However, the Belgium captain has had injury problems since Russia and has not been the superstar signing Real Madrid were hoping for when he joined them from Chelsea in 2019.
But he still has the potential to be a key player for Belgium, and now he is injury free, this World Cup may be the perfect opportunity for him to rediscover his form.
Strikers
Up front, two more former Chelsea players have maintained their places in this year’s Belgium squad.
Romelu Lukaku comes into this year’s tournament with injury issues, and his career revival hasn’t kickstarted following his underwhelming return to The Blues.
Fellow striker Michy Batshuayi maintains his place and could be Belgium’s potential surprise package.
His club career has stuttered over the last four years, with the striker finally cutting ties with Chelsea after six eventful years and several failed loans.
The forward joined Fenerbache permanently in the summer and has been enjoying his football again, scoring five goals in seven Süper Lig games.
He has been ever-reliable for Belgium, scoring 26 goals in 47 appearances, and could be the spark off the bench if needed.
35-year-old Dries Mertens serves as an experienced backup in Belgium’s forward line.
The attacker ended his nine-season stay in Naples this summer, joining Batshuayi in Turkey with Galatasaray.
A player who, at his peak, relied on his pace isn’t quite at the level he was in 2018.
Nonetheless, he can still add something different to the attack if required.
New Faces
The 2022 World Cup will see opportunities for some youngsters in the Belgium squad.
Leicester’s Wout Faes and Anderlecht’s teenager Zeno Debast will add much-needed freshness to an ageing defence.
Fullbacks Arthur Theate and Timothy Castagne provide cover for Meunier and Carrasco.
30-year-old Hans Vanaken is a surprise addition, as he receives his first major tournament call-up, he joins Everton’s Andre Onana to complete Belgium’s midfield.
Ligue 1 strikers Jeremy Doku and Lois Openda round out the attack.
Doku emerged as a potential star for the future at Euro 2020 but hasn’t set the world alight since.
While Lois Openda is the shining light in the French league’s surprise package RC Lens.
Key Player
Kevin De Bruyne will be hoping to make his third World Cup his best yet.
Belgium often rely on the brilliance of the Manchester City star and will be looking to his leadership as a number of his teammates are no longer among the world’s best.
Along with Thibault Courtois, De Bruyne may be one of only two World Class players Belgium have left.
Expectations
Not many have high hopes for Belgium at this year’s World Cup.
Drawn in Group F with Morocco, Croatia, and Canada, The Red Devils may struggle to even progress as far as the knockout stage.
Martinez has received criticism after Belgium’s recent performances, with Kevin De Bruyne highlighting his frustration with the Spaniard’s defensive approach and that Belgium lack a clear tactical system.
Former Belgium international Marc Wilmots has also been disparaging towards Martinez, calling his previous appointment of Thierry Henry as his assistant “amateur.”
Will Belgium deliver at the 2022 World Cup, or will their golden generation forever be known as the bronze generation?
https://sportsgazette.co.uk/irans-world-cup-hopes-overshadowed-by-deadly-political-turmoil/
