The Anthem
La Brabançonne
▶ Listen on YouTube ↗“Noble Belgique, ô mère chérie… / Noble Belgium, O cherished mother…”
Sung in Dutch, French and German to reflect the country's three language communities.
The Legends
Names that echo
Eden Hazard
Forward · 2010s–20s
The mercurial dribbler who carried the golden generation's flair.
Kevin De Bruyne
Midfielder · 2010s–20s
One of the finest passers of his era and Manchester City's creative engine.
Jean-Marie Pfaff
Goalkeeper · 1980s
World-class keeper of the 1986 semi-final side.
Fun Facts
Worth knowing
- 01
Belgium's 'golden generation' topped the FIFA world rankings for a record stretch without winning a major trophy.
- 02
The country is famous for inventing the modern french fry, Belgian waffles, and some of the world's best chocolate and beer.
- 03
Brussels hosts the headquarters of both the EU and NATO.
At the World Cup
The story so far
A founder nation whose finest hour came in 2018, when a star-studded golden generation finished third after one of the great World Cup comebacks against Japan.
Bronze and a classic comeback
Belgium came from 2-0 down to beat Japan in the last seconds, then beat Brazil, on its way to third place.
Semi-final surprise
An unfancied Belgium reached the last four in Mexico, falling only to Maradona's Argentina.
Group Stage