Euro 2020 saw the very last outing of Belgium’s so called ‘Golden Generation’ and it once again was another disappointing campaign for a talented squad as they crashed out at the quarter-final stage.
Coming into Euro 2024, the Belgians have been rejuvenated and reinvented, with the arrival of both a new manager and young, fresh talent.
New head coach Domenico Tedesco is looking to manage expectations of the Red Devils heading into this summer’s competition after years of under-performance despite a talented array of stars.
Although they have lost a number of their well-established stars, this Belgian side is still full of elite performers and have been boosted by the arrival of fresh faces breaking into the international scene.
Mail Sport takes you through Group E’s Belgium, including how they qualified for the tournament, their history in the competition and who to look out for.
Belgium will get their Euro 2024 campaign underway on Monday, June 17 against Slovakia
Italian-German manager Domenico Tedesco will take charge of his first major international tournament with Belgium this summer
Roma’s veteran forward Romelu Lukaku will be one of Tedesco’s key players at Euro 2024
Who is the manager?
Belgium head into Euro 2024 under new management after six years under former boss Roberto Martinez.
Tedesco is the new man in charge and was appointed as Belgium’s new coach in February 2023.
The 38-year-old has so far overseen 12 unbeaten games, winning eight and drawing four.
The Italian-German manager has years of experience under his belt having previously been in charge of Schalke, Spartak Moscow and RB Leipzig.
Tedesco has an impressive CV, his greatest achievement most notably guiding Schalke to a second place finish in the Bundesliga in his debut season.
Tedesco was appointed as the new head coach of Belgium in February 2023
The German-Italian boss has previously managed RB Leipzig, Schalke and Spartak Moscow
Who is their star man?
This Belgium team is full of seasoned veterans like Jan Vertonghen and Romelu Lukaku as well as up-and-coming superstars such as Arthur Vermeeren, who could easily be Belgium’s most valuable player this summer.
However, Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne remains the star of the side.
The midfielder will undoubtedly be Belgium’s creator-in-chief in Germany this summer and will be the man Tesdesco will call upon to make things happen.
After suffering a set-back earlier this season following hamstring surgery, the 32-year-old has been in flying form for City since returning to the pitch.
The Belgian played an instrumental role in securing a historic fourth consecutive Premier League title for Guardiola’s men.
Belgian captain Kevin De Bruyne will play a vital role in how far his side can go at Euro 2024
After returning from injury, the Belgian international played a vital role for Manchester City, who edged out Arsenal to win an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title
How did they qualify?
Belgium secured their place in the tournament after beating Group F rivals Austria 3-2 on October 13 last year.
Tedesco’s men topped their qualification group as a result as they finished above Austria, Sweden, Azerbaijan and Estonia.
Belgium were unbeaten during the campaign, winning six out of the eight games they played.
They also had the top scorer in qualifying, with Romelu Lukaku of Roma (on loan from Chelsea) netting 14 goals.
Tedesco will be hoping his talisman Romelu Lukaku will be able to replicate his form in qualifying during the tournament
The former Manchester United and Chelsea star has been in flying form this season
Monday, June 17 – Belgium vs Slovakia (Frankfurt, 5pm)
Saturday, June 22 – Belgium vs Romania (Cologne, 8pm)
Wednesday, June 26 – Belgium vs Ukraine (Stuttgart, 5pm)
Tournament history
Euro 2020: Quarter-FinalsBest result: Runners-up 1980Appearances: 6 Euro hosts: 1972 (third place), 2000 (co-hosts, group stage) Overall record: P22 W11 D2 L9 F31 A28 Group stage record: P15 W8 D2 L5 F20 A18 Knockout record: P7 W3 D0 L4 F11 A10Odds to win the trophy
20/1 (SkyBet)
Belgium will be without Thibaut Courtois for the tournament after the Real Madrid star’s injury-plagued season
Youri Tielemens is expected to make Tedesco’s final squad despite his struggles
Euro Squad
One notable omission from Belgium’s Euro squad is Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
The 32-year-old has been his country’s No 1 at their last five major tournaments but will miss Euro 2024 after an injury riddled season.
Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (VfL Wolfsburg), Thomas Kaminski (Luton Town), Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest)
Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Maxim De Cuyper (Club Brugge), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Wout Faes (Leicester City), Thomas Meunier (Trabzonspor), Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Arthur Theate (Stade Rennais), Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Yannick Carrasco (Al Shabab), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Orel Mangala (Olympique Lyonnais), Amadou Onana (Everton), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Arthur Vermeeren (Atletico Madrid), Aster Vranckx (vfL Wolfsburg)
Forwards: Johan Bakayoko (PSV Eindhoven), Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Romelu Lukaku (Roma), Dodi Lukebakio (Sevilla), Lois Openda (RB Leipzig), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)