Overview

Belgium's national soccer team, known as the Red Devils (Les Diables Rouges / De Rode Duivels), is one of Europe’s longstanding international sides. The Royal Belgian Football Association was founded in 1895 and Belgium was a founding member of FIFA in 1904. The national team played its first official match in 1904 (a 3–3 draw with France) and has been a regular participant in major international competitions—European Championships and FIFA World Cups—throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.

Historical phases

• Early decades (1900s–1950s): Belgium established itself early with frequent international fixtures and occasional strong showings. The team competed in early Olympic tournaments and World Cups, though without sustained global success.
• Postwar and golden eras (1960s–1980s): Belgium produced talented squads, qualified for World Cups (e.g., 1970, 1982) and reached the final of the 1980 European Championship (losing to West Germany). The 1986 World Cup in Mexico saw Belgium reach the quarter-finals and produce memorable performances (including a famous round-of-16 win over the Soviet Union).
• Transitional period (1990s–2000s): Results were mixed; Belgium qualified for some tournaments but also missed others, and underwent rebuilding phases as domestic talent cycles shifted.
• Modern golden generation (2010s–present): From the early 2010s a cohort of exceptional players (many developed in Belgium’s improved youth systems) elevated the national team to world-class status. Belgium finished third at the 2018 FIFA World Cup—their best-ever World Cup finish—and attained top FIFA world rankings for extended periods (reaching No. 1 in 2015–2016 and again in 2018–2022 intermittently).

Major successes

• FIFA World Cup: Best finish — 3rd place in 2018 (Russia). Belgium also reached the quarter-finals in 1986 and 2014, and enjoyed competitive runs in other editions.
• UEFA European Championship: Best finish — runners-up in 1980. Belgium has reached the knockout stages several times in modern tournaments (e.g., UEFA Euro 2016, Euro 2020/2021).
• FIFA/Cumulative recognition: Belgium regularly achieved high FIFA world rankings during the 2010s and early 2020s, often regarded as one of the top teams in the world thanks to the depth and quality of its squad.

Playing style and development

Belgium’s modern teams combined technical skill, tactical versatility, and a mix of elite attackers, creative midfielders, and reliable defenders/goalkeepers. A focus on youth development — with improved academy systems at Belgian clubs and many players plying their trade in top European leagues — helped produce technically gifted players comfortable in diverse tactical systems.

Most notable players

• Jan Ceulemans (midfielder/forward, 1980s) — long-serving captain and talisman; key figure in Belgium’s strong 1980s sides including Euro 1980.
• Enzo Scifo (attacking midfielder, 1980s–1990s) — elegant playmaker who starred in multiple World Cups and symbolized Belgium’s creative potential.
• Eric Gerets (right-back, 1970s–1980s) — influential defender and leader for club and country.
• Michel Preud’homme (goalkeeper, 1980s–1990s) — highly regarded shot-stopper, winner of the 1994 Yashin Award (World Cup best goalkeeper) award and the 1994 FIFA World Cup Golden Glove equivalent recognition.
• Eden Hazard (winger/attacking midfielder, 2010s–2020s) — creative superstar and captain during the modern golden generation; key figure in Belgium’s 2018 World Cup run.
• Kevin De Bruyne (midfielder, 2010s–2020s) — world-class playmaker, creator of chances, central to Belgium’s attacking play for club and country.
• Romelu Lukaku (striker, 2010s–2020s) — powerful goal-scorer, Belgium’s all-time leading scorer (surpassing previous records), focal point of the attack for many years.
• Thibaut Courtois (goalkeeper, 2010s–2020s) — elite goalkeeper who produced standout performances, notably in the 2018 World Cup semifinal run.
• Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Vincent Kompany — defenders who provided stability and leadership during the modern era; Kompany also notable as a captain and inspirational figure.
• Other notable recent names: Youri Tielemans, Dries Mertens, Axel Witsel, Leandro Trossard — all contributors to Belgium’s depth and versatility.

Notable coaches

• Guy Thys (1976–1989) — the most influential Belgian coach historically; he guided Belgium to the final of Euro 1980 and to strong World Cup showings in the 1980s. Thys is widely credited with building Belgium into a major European presence.
• Robert Waseige (1990s) — led Belgium to qualification for Euro 2000 (co-hosted) and contributed to continuity in the national setup.
• Marc Wilmots (interim and full manager, 2012–2016) — oversaw the rise of the modern generation and helped Belgium to strong results and high FIFA rankings, setting the stage for the 2018 World Cup success.
• Roberto Martínez (2016–2022) — Spanish tactician who coached Belgium to their best-ever World Cup finish (third in 2018) and presided over a period when Belgium were regularly ranked at or near world No.1. Martínez emphasized possession, flexible attacking structures, and getting the most from the squad’s elite talent.
• Other contributors — a range of earlier coaches and technical staff who developed youth structures and tactical identity for the national side.

Legacy

Belgium’s national team legacy is twofold: a proud history dating back to football’s early international era, and a modern peak driven by a talented generation that combined domestic development with success at top European clubs. The 2018 World Cup third place and sustained top FIFA rankings are the clearest benchmarks of Belgium’s status as a major force in world soccer during the 2010s and early 2020s.

Quick facts

• Nicknames: Red Devils (Les Diables Rouges / De Rode Duivels)
• First official match: 1904 (3–3 vs France)
• Best World Cup result: 3rd place, 2018
• Best European Championship result: Runners-up, 1980