Belgium national football team

Belgium
Nickname(s)	Rode Duivels / Diables Rouges; (Red Devils)
Association	Belgian Football Association
Confederation	UEFA (Europe)
Head coach	Franky Vercauteren 05/2009 - 12/2009; Dick Advocaat 01/2010 - ...
Captain	Timmy Simons
Most caps	Jan Ceulemans (96)
Top scorer	Paul Van Himst,; Bernard Voorhoof (30)
Home stadium	King Baudouin Stadium
FIFA code	BEL
FIFA ranking	63
Highest FIFA ranking	16 (January 2003)
Lowest FIFA ranking	71 (June 2007)
Elo ranking	56
Highest Elo ranking	2 (September 1920)
Lowest Elo ranking	57 (September 2007)
Home colours	Away colours
First international
	Belgium 3 - 3 France ; (Brussels, Belgium; 1 May 1904)
Biggest win
	Belgium 9 - 0 Zambia ; (Brussels, Belgium; 4 June 1994); Belgium 10 - 1 San Marino ; (Brussels, Belgium; 28 February 2001)
Biggest defeat
	England amateur 11 - 2 Belgium ; (London, England; 17 April 1909)
World Cup
Appearances	11 (First in 1930)
Best result	Fourth place, 1986
European Championship
Appearances	4 (First in 1972)
Best result	Runners-up, 1980
Men’s Football

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The Belgium national football team is the national football team of Belgium and is controlled by the Belgian Football Association.

[edit] History

Belgium played its first official game on May 1, 1904 in a 3-3 draw against France. Prior to this match, a Belgian selection played several matches, but the squad contained some English players, so these are not added to the caps. For example, Belgium beat Netherlands by 8-0 on April 28, 1901 with the help of some Englishmen. It was then decided that Belgium would play twice a year against Netherlands beginning from 1905, generally once in Antwerp and once in Rotterdam (later Amsterdam). At that time, the national squad was chosen by a committee of representatives of the 6 or 7 main clubs.

The team was nicknamed The Red Devils by journalist Pierre Walckiers after its 3:2 victory over Netherlands (Rotterdam, 1906). The nickname stems from the fact that from the beginning and up until recently, the team's primary colours were all red.

Over the next six decades, Belgium established itself as a strong second-tier team, rarely in the running for winning a major tournament but never easy to handle at home or abroad. A key strength of the team was its systematic use of the offside trap, a defensive tactic developed in the 1960s at Anderlecht under French coach Pierre Sinibaldi.

Their most successful period started when they finished second in the UEFA Euro 1980. The 1980s and early 1990s are generally considered the golden age of the national team. Under the lead of Guy Thys, who coached more than 100 official games, Belgium established a reputation of being a physical, well-organized team that was difficult to play against. The team's rigorous organization was reinforced by several world-class players such as goalkeeper Jean-Marie Pfaff, right-back Eric Gerets, midfielder Jan Ceulemans, and playmaker Enzo Scifo. Performances were sometimes poor against lower-ranked teams, but nearly always inspired against top teams. Until as recently as 2002, world-class national teams did not like the prospect of playing the Red Devils--not even eventual champions Brazil, who were almost beaten by Belgium in the knockout phase of the 2002 World Cup. Since then, however, the team has steadily slipped down the rankings, and has not been able to extend its past reputation.

After failing to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1978, the contract of national coach Aimé Anthuenis was not renewed beyond 2005, and it was decided on December 22, 2005 that René Vandereycken would replace Anthuenis on January 1, 2006. On August 16 of that year, they started their new campaign. They played awfully and did not manage to get past the team from Kazakhstan. The situation got worse after also losing the home game against Poland on November 15 of that year. This put the Red Devils into an all-time low 71st position in the FIFA World Rankings in June, 2007, and they failed to qualify for Euro 2008. Then they started the World Cup qualifiers well with 7 points from 4 matches, but then lost at home and in Bosnia-Herzegovina on March 28 and April 1 2009, prompting the decision on Tuesday April 7, 2009 to sack coach René Vandereycken.

[edit] World Cup record

Belgium's World Cup appearance record reflects the unusual depth of footballing talent for a country of this size, in the manner of the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Sweden. The country qualified for six successive World Cups from 1982 through 2002. Every other nation with an equal or longer string of appearances has had the streak "interrupted" by automatic qualification as the host or the defending champion. (The 2006 tournament was the first for which the defending champion did not automatically qualify.)

The Belgian team reached the knockout phase five out of six times from 1982 to 2002, including a streak of four tournaments. One of their most famous victories was a 1-0 win over defending champions Argentina, in the first game of the 1982 World Cup held at Camp Nou with a great goal by Erwin Vandenbergh.

Four years later they achieved their best-ever World Cup run in 1986 when they placed fourth under command of players like Jan Ceulemans, Eric Gerets and Jean-Marie Pfaff. Belgium surprisingly won against favourites Soviet-Union with stars such as Igor Belanov and Rinat Dasayev (3-4) after extra time. Belgium also beat Spain on penalties, but they lost to eventual champions Argentina in the semifinal (0-2). In the third-place match Belgium lost to France (2-4) after extra time. Captain and midfielder Jan Ceulemans was the first Belgian player to be selected in the All-Star Team of a World Cup. Enzo Scifo was elected as best young player of the tournament.

Despite being knocked out in the second round, the team's general performance in the 1990 was considered better still than that of 1986. Belgium dominated England, but eventually lost in the last minute of extra time after a goal by David Platt. Enzo Scifo was elected as second best player of the 1990 World Cup after Lothar Matthäus.

In the 1994 World Cup Belgium lost to title defenders Germany in round 2. This match became most memorable because of a disputed decision by referee Kurt Röthlisberger. The team was not awarded a penalty when Josip Weber was tripped inside the penalty area. Michel Preud'homme was elected as best goalkeeper of the tournament and he was selected in the All-Star Team.

In 1998 Belgium was one of only two teams, together with world champion France not to lose a single game. Three draws in the first round - against Netherlands, Mexico and South Korea - proved not enough to reach the knock-out stage. In 1998 Enzo Scifo and Franky Van Der Elst appeared in their fourth World Cups, setting a Belgian record.

The FIFA World Cup 2002 did not start well for Belgium, but the team improved during the tournament. Captain Marc Wilmots was notable for scoring in every match of the first round. In the second round they had to play against eventual champions Brazil. Similar to 1994, the outcome of the match was strongly influenced by a disputed referee decision. To the surprise of the Brazilians themselves, referee Peter Prendergast cancelled a valid goal by Marc Wilmots that would have given Belgium a 1-0 lead. After this, the match went in favour of Brazil. Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari would declare after the tournament that the match against the Red Devils had been the hardest for Brazil to win. The team did win the tournament's fair-play award. Marc Wilmots equalled the record of Enzo Scifo and Franky Van Der Elst by appearing in 4 World Cup squads, although he didn't play in his first World Cup in 1990. Wilmots also scored his 5th World Cup goal against Russia, which made him Belgium's top scorer in World Cup Finals matches.

1930 - Round 1
1934 - Round 1
1938 - Round 1
1950 - Withdrew
1954 - Round 1
1958 - Did not qualify
1962 - Did not qualify
1966 - Did not qualify
1970 - Round 1
1974 - Did not qualify
1978 - Did not qualify
1982 - Round 2
1986 - Fourth place
1990 - Round 2
1994 - Round 2
1998 - Round 1
2002 - Round 2
2006 - Did not qualify

[edit] European Championship record

Belgium's performance in the European Championship does not match its World Cup record. The best result is no doubt the unexpected second place at the 1980 edition in Italy after a narrow defeat (1-2) to West Germany in the final. Belgium hosted or co-hosted the event twice, finishing third in 1972 (when they were chosen amongst the four semi-finalists to actually host the event) and being one of the major disappointments of the 2000 edition with a first-round exit. Belgium first won against Sweden 2-1 via goals from Bart Goor in the 43rd minute and Emile Mpenza in the 46th minute against Sweden's one by Johan Mjallby in the 53rd minute after a terrible error of goalkeeper Filip De Wilde. But then, Belgium lost 2-0 against Italy (goals from Francesco Totti in the 5th minute and Stefano Fiore in the 66th minute) and 2-0 against Turkey (two goals from Hakan Sukur in the 45th after another error of goalkeeper Filip De Wilde, and 70th minute). In the 83rd minute of that last group match, Filip De Wilde even ended his Euro 2000, being sent off for attacking Arif Erdem outside the penalty area.

1960 - Did not enter
1964 - Did not qualify
1968 - Did not qualify
1972 - Third place (became host after qualifying)
1976 - Did not qualify
1980 - Runners-up
1984 - Round 1
1988 - Did not qualify
1992 - Did not qualify
1996 - Did not qualify
2000 - Round 1 (entered as host)
2004 - Did not qualify
2008 - Did not qualify

[edit] Olympic record

Belgium won the Olympic Gold Medal in 1920

Gold Medal winners 1920: -Félix Balyu -Désiré Bastin -Mathieu Bragard -Jean De Bie -Robert Coppée -André Fierens -Emile Hanse -Georges Hebdin-Henri Larnoe -Joseph Musch(c) -Armand Swartenbroeks -Fernand Nisot -Louis Van Hege -Oscar Verbeek. coach: Raoul Daufresne

1920: Gold medal
1924: Second Round (1/16 finals)
1928: Quarter-finals
2008: Fourth Place

[edit] Current squad

Caps and goals are correct as of 31 May 2009.

The following players are the 20-man squad who were called up for Kirin Cup matches against Chile and Japan.

No.	Pos.	Player	DoB (Age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	GK	Olivier Renard	24 May 1979	0	0	Mechelen (v. Luxemburg on 19 November 2008)
1	GK	Stijn Stijnen	7 April 1981	29	0	Club Brugge
21	GK	Brian Vandenbussche	24 September 1981	3	0	Heerenveen (v. Slovenia on 11 February 2009)
	DF	Toby Alderweireld	2 March 1989	2	0	Ajax
	DF	Filip Daems	31 October 1978	7	0	Borussia Mönchengladbach
	DF	Ritchie De Laet	28 November 1988	2	0	Manchester United
	DF	Sébastien Pocognoli	1 August 1987	4	0	AZ
3	DF	Timmy Simons	11 December 1976	71	3	PSV
	DF	Gill Swerts	23 September 1982	14	1	AZ
	DF	Thomas Vermaelen	14 November 1985	21	0	Arsenal
	MF	Faris Haroun	22 September 1985	6	0	Germinal Beerschot
	MF	Ritchie Kitoko	11 June 1988	0	0	Albacete
	MF	Maarten Martens	2 July 1984	7	0	AZ
	MF	Joachim Mununga	30 June 1988	0	0	KV Mechelen
	MF	Radja Nainggolan	4 May 1988	1	0	Piacenza
	MF	Kevin Roelandts	27 August 1982	2	1	Zulte Waregem
18	FW	Moussa Dembélé	16 July 1987	21	5	AZ
	FW	Stein Huysegems	16 June 1982	14	0	RC Genk (v. Luxemburg on 19 November 2008)
	FW	Geoffrey Mujangi Bia	12 August 1989	2	0	Charleroi
	FW	Jelle Vossen	22 March 1989	2	0	RC Genk

[edit] Recent call-ups

No.	Pos.	Player	DoB (Age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	GK	Logan Bailly	27 December 1985	0	0	Borussia Mönchengladbach
	GK	Silvio Proto	23 May 1983	12	0	Germinal Beerschot
	DF	Carl Hoefkens	6 October 1978	22	1	West Bromwich Albion (v. Germany on 20 August 2008)
4	DF	Vincent Kompany	10 April 1986	28	0	Manchester City
	DF	Jeroen Simaeys	12 May 1985	2	0	Club Brugge
5	DF	Daniel Van Buyten	7 February 1978	48	6	Bayern Munich
7	DF	Jelle Van Damme	10 October 1983	22	0	Anderlecht (v. Luxemburg on 19 November 2008)
	DF	Anthony Vanden Borre	24 October 1987	20	1	Genoa (v. Slovenia on 11 February 2009)
8	MF	Steven Defour	15 April 1988	20	1	Standard Liège
	MF	Bart Goor	9 April 1973	78	13	Germinal Beerschot (v. Germany on 20 August 2008)
17	MF	Marouane Fellaini	22 November 1987	16	2	Everton
	MF	Guillaume Gillet	9 March 1985	11	0	Anderlecht
17	MF	Eden Hazard	7 January 1991	4	0	Lille
6	MF	Gaby Mudingayi	1 October 1981	15	0	Bologna
	MF	Killian Overmeire	6 December 1985	1	0	Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen (v. Luxemburg on 19 November 2008)
15	MF	Jan Vertonghen	24 April 1987	14	0	Ajax (v. Slovenia on 11 February 2009)
9	MF	Axel Witsel	12 January 1989	9	1	Standard Liège
17	FW	Igor De Camargo	12 May 1983	2	0	Standard Liège
13	FW	Tom De Sutter	3 July 1985	8	0	Anderlecht
9	FW	Kevin Mirallas	5 October 1987	12	3	Saint-Étienne
10	FW	Wesley Sonck	9 August 1978	49	23	Club Brugge

[edit] Youngest Players

[edit] The 10 youngest players in history

The youngest players who made their debut for the national football team of Belgium.

Rank	Player (Team)	Age
1	Fernand Nisot (Léopold Club)	16 year 19 days
2	Anthony Vanden Borre (RSC Anderlecht)	16 year 187 days
3	Paul Van Himst (RSC Anderlecht)	17 year 17 days
4	Jean Capelle (Standard Liège)	17 year 153 days
5	Joseph Musch (R. Union Saint-Gilloise)	17 year 198 days
6	Vincent Kompany (RSC Anderlecht)	17 year 314 days
7	Eden Hazard (Lille OSC)	17 year 316 days
8	Raymond Braine (K. Beerschot V.A.C.)	17 year 321 days
9	Bernard Voorhoof (Lierse SK)	17 year 338 days
10	Steven Defour (KRC Genk)	18 year 26 days

[edit] 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

Team v • d • e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Spain	6	6	0	0	13	2	+11	18
Bosnia and Herzegovina	6	4	0	2	18	7	+11	12
Turkey	6	2	2	2	6	5	+1	8
Belgium	6	2	1	3	10	11	−1	7
Estonia	6	1	2	3	5	15	−10	5
Armenia	6	0	1	5	3	15	−12	1


Armenia	–	9 Sep	5 Sep	2 – 2	10 Oct	0 – 2
Belgium	2 – 0	–	2 – 4	3 – 2	1 – 2	10 Oct
Bosnia and Herzegovina	4 – 1	2 – 1	–	7 – 0	14 Oct	9 Sep
Estonia	1 – 0	14 Oct	10 Oct	–	0 – 3	0 – 0
Spain	4 – 0	5 Sep	1 – 0	9 Sep	–	1 – 0
Turkey	14 Oct	1 – 1	2 – 1	5 Sep	1 – 2	–

[edit] Caps

As of May 31, 2009 the 68 most capped players for Belgium are:

#	Player	Belgium career	Caps	Sel.
1	Jan Ceulemans	1977-1991	96	99
2	Eric Gerets	1975-1991	86	94
=	Franky Van der Elst	1984-1998	86	93
4	Vincenzo Scifo	1984-1998	84	87
5	Paul Van Himst	1960-1974	81	83
6	Bart Goor*	1999-	78	80
7	Georges Grün	1984-1995	77	81
8	Timmy Simons*	2001-	71	73
9	Lorenzo Staelens	1990-2000	70	82
=	Marc Wilmots	1990-2002	70	80
11	Victor Mees	1949-1960	68	73
12	Georges Heylens	1961-1973	67	68
13	Joseph Jurion	1955-1967	64	68
=	Jean-Marie Pfaff	1976-1987	64	84
15	Franky Vercauteren	1977-1988	63	71
=	Marc Degryse	1984-2002	63	67
17	Bernard Voorhoof	1928-1940	61	61
18	Michel Preud'homme	1979-1994	58	72
19	Eric Deflandre*	1996-	57	67
=	Wilfried Van Moer	1966-1982	57	62
21	Joseph Mermans	1945-1956	56	67
=	Mbo Mpenza	1997-2008	56	66
=	Luc Nilis	1988-2000	56	60
=	Louis Carré	1948-1958	56	58
25	Michel Renquin	1976-1987	55	62
26	Emile Mpenza*	1997-	54	55
=	Raymond Braine	1925-1939	54	54
28	Danny Boffin	1989-2002	53	70
=	Armand Swartenbroeks	1913-1928	53	53
30	René Vandereycken	1975-1986	50	60
=	Gert Verheyen	1994-2002	50	57
32	Wilfried Puis	1962-1975	49	50
=	Wesley Sonck*	2001-	49	49
34	Pierre Hanon	1958-1969	48	58
=	Daniel Van Buyten*	2001-	48	55
=	Erwin Vandenbergh	1979-1991	48	58
=	Léopold Anoul	1947-1954	48	50
=	Yves Vanderhaeghe	1999-2005	48	49
39	Henri 'Rik' Coppens	1949-1959	47	50
40	Walter Meeuws	1977-1984	46	52
=	Ludo Coeck	1974-1984	46	48
=	Pierre Braine	1922-1930	46	46
43	François Van der Elst	1973-1983	44	50
44	Geert De Vlieger*	1999-	43	55
45	Michel De Wolf	1980-1994	42	66
=	Nico Van Kerckhoven	1996-2002	42	47
=	Victor Lemberechts	1945-1955	42	43
48	Philippe Albert	1987-1998	41	53
=	Robert Paverick	1935-1946	41	41
50	Leo Clijsters	1983-1991	40	53
=	Christian Piot	1969-1977	40	41
52	Jean Nicolay	1959-1967	39	47
=	Florimond Van Halme	1921-1930	39	39
54	Philippe Clement*	1998-	38	47
=	Paul Vandenberg	1957-1967	38	43
=	Alfons Van Brandt	1951-1957	38	43
=	Stéphane Demol	1986-1991	38	38
58	Marc Emmers	1988-1994	37	39
=	Jean De Bie	1920-1930	37	37
60	Johan Walem	1991-2002	36	47
=	Glen De Boeck	1993-2004	36	46
=	Nico Claesen	1983-1990	36	41
=	Nicolas Hoydonckx	1928-1933	36	36
64	Léon Semmeling	1961-1973	35	42
=	Jean Dockx	1967-1975	35	42
=	Julien Cools	1974-1980	35	37
=	Désiré Bastin	1920-1932	35	35
=	Luc Millecamps	1979-1983	35	35

Other notable players who have represented Belgium include (note, this is not a comprehensive list):

Player	Belgium career	Caps	Sel.
Eric Van Meir	1993-2002	34	58
Jean Thissen	1968-1977	34	35
Arnold Badjou	1930-1939	34	34
Louis Versyp	1928-1936	34	34
Jean Capelle	1931-1939	34	34
Filip De Wilde	1984-2000	33	68
Jan Verheyen	1965-1976	33	50
Henri Meert	1944-1957	33	48
Raoul Lambert	1966-1977	33	38
Rudi Smidts	1989-1997	33	35
Jean Plaskie	1964-1971	33	35
Nico Dewalque	1967-1975	33	34
Martin Lippens	1957-1963	33	34
Patrick Vervoort	1986-1991	32	41
Jacques Stockman	1958-1967	32	40
Erwin Vandendaele	1970-1977	32	36
Alexandre Czerniatynski	1981-1994	31	42
Marcel Dries	1953-1959	31	41
Luis Oliveira	1992-1999	31	31
Emile Stijnen	1932-1939	31	31
Thomas Buffel*	2002-	30	30
Henri Dirickx	1951-1960	29	58
Stijn Stijnen*	2006-	29	30
Bruno Versavel	1988-1995	28	30
August Hellemans	1928-1934	28	28
Vincent Kompany*	2004-	28	28
Walter Baseggio*	1999-	27	31
Oscar Verbeeck	1914-1924	27	27
Dirk Medved	1991-1997	26	41
Philippe Léonard	1994-2006	26	37
Bertrand Crasson	1991-2001	26	37
Maurice Martens	1970-1980	26	36
Denis Houf	1954-1961	26	29
Stanley Vanden Eynde	1931-1938	26	26
Gilles De Bilde	1994-2000	25	27
René Verheyen	1976-1984	24	49
Hugo Broos	1974-1986	24	31
Luigi Pieroni*	2004-	24	28
Joseph Musch	1911-1924	24	24
Camille Van Hoorden	1904-1912	24	24
Louis Saeys	1907-1914	24	24
André Fierens	1920-1925	24	24
Johan Devrindt	1964-1975	23	29
Laurent Verbiest	1960-1965	23	28
Robert De Veen	1906-1913	23	23
Maurice Gillis	1922-1928	23	23
Ferdinand Adams	1924-1930	23	23
Vital Borkelmans	1989-1998	22	35
Odilon Polleunis	1968-1975	22	29
Eddy Voordeckers	1978-1985	22	29
Carl Hoefkens*	1999-	22	27
Régis Genaux	1992-2000	22	27
Jelle Van Damme*	2003-	22	26
Henri Larnoe	1920-1925	22	22
Peter Van der Heyden*	2001-	21	32
Moussa Dembélé*	2006-	21	22
Thomas Vermaelen*	2006-	21	21
Anthony Vanden Borre*	2004-	20	29
Frédéric Chaves D'Aguilar	1946-1951	20	24
Steven Defour*	2006-	20	23
Jean Cornelis	1962-1969	19	31
Henri 'Hendrik' Coppens	1945-1950	19	29
Marc Van der Linden	1983-1990	19	22
Joos Valgaeren	1999-2004	19	22
Raymond Mommens	1977-1988	18	47
Karel Geraerts*	2005-	18	23
Sven Vermant	1995-2004	18	22
Jacky Peeters	1999-2002	17	27
Guy Vandersmissen	1982-1987	17	20
Roger Claessen	1961-1968	17	19
Branko Strupar	1999-2002	17	19
Hector Goetinck	1906-1923	17	17
Marouane Fellaini*	2007-	16	16
Henri Isemborghs	1935-1939	16	16
Gilbert Van Binst	1972-1977	15	23
Marc Baecke	1977-1984	15	22
Marc Hendrikx	1999-2001	15	20
Gordan Vidović	1997-1999	15	19
Gaby Mudingayi*	2003-	15	18
Robert Coppée	1919-1924	15	15
Stein Huysegems*	2004-	14	21
Philippe Desmet	1984-1987	14	20
Olivier Deschacht*	2003-	14	19
Michaël Goossens	1993-2001	14	18
Jan Vertonghen*	2007-	14	15
Fernand Nisot	1911-1920	14	14
Robert Braet	1931-1938	14	14
Kevin Vandenbergh*	2004-	13	21
Leo Van der Elst	1983-1987	13	20
Pascal Renier	1994-1996	13	20
Bob Peeters	1997-2002	13	18
Gerard Plessers	1979-1985	13	17
Roberto Bisconti	2004-2005	13	15
Jean Mathonet	1952-1958	13	14
René Thirifays	1946-1949	13	13
Gunther Schepens	1995-1997	13	13
Gilbert Bodart	1985-1995	12	55
Daniel Veyt	1985-1989	12	26
Silvio Proto*	2004-	12	17
Didier Dheedene	1997-2005	12	16
Gill Swerts*	2006-	12	15
Kevin Mirallas*	2007-	12	12
Louis Van Hege	1919-1924	12	12
Sylvain Brebart	1912-1914	12	12
Albert De Cleyn	1946-1948	12	12
Jean Trappeniers	1964-1970	11	18
Sandy Martens	1995-2003	11	15
Léon Jeck	1967-1970	11	15
Guy Dardenne	1977-1980	11	15
Olivier De Cock	2002-2005	11	12
Guillaume Gillet*	2007-	11	12
Henri De Deken	1930-1933	11	11
Theo Custers	1977-1982	10	29
Tjörven De Brul	1996-1999	10	22
Roland Storme	1958-1963	10	15
Robert Van Kerkhoven	1951-1957	9	37
Gaëtan Englebert*	1999-	9	21
Koen Daerden*	2002-	9	14
Stefaan Tanghe	1999-2002	9	13
Axel Witsel*	2008-	9	9
Alphonse Six	1910-1912	9	9
Jacky Munaron	1981-1987	8	44
Philippe Vande Walle	1988-1999	8	30
Fernand Boone	1962-1969	8	20
Hippolyte van den Bosch	1953-1957	8	15
Ronny Gaspercic	1998-2001	8	15
Tom Soetaers*	2002-	8	14
Frédéric Pierre	1996-1999	8	10
Tom De Sutter*	2008-	8	8
Emmanuel Karagiannis	1995-1998	8	8
Fernand Goyvaerts	1959-1961	8	8
Josip Weber	1994	8	8
Frédéric Herpoel	1999-2005	7	39
Willy Wellens	1976-1981	7	11
Toni Brogno	1998-2000	7	11
Filip Daems*	1999-	7	9
Chris Janssens	1998-1999	7	9
Maarten Martens*	2007-	7	9
Jean Janssens	1969-1979	7	8
Francis Severeyns	1988-1994	7	8
Roger Van Gool	1975-1978	7	7
Marc Millecamps	1976-1982	6	17
Olivier Doll	1997-2005	6	12
Ferdinand Boogaerts	1946-1952	6	10
Peter Van Houdt	1999-2002	6	10
Mike Verstraeten	1997-1998	6	10
Jozef Vliers	1954-1963	6	9
Faris Haroun*	2007-	6	7
Bernd Thijs*	1999-	5	14
Mark De Man*	2006-	5	11
Pascal Plovie	1987-1992	5	11
Frank Dauwen	1991-1992	5	11
Jos Daerden	1982-1984	5	8
Victor Wégria	1957-1961	5	7
Walter De Greef	1979-1984	5	6
Jürgen Cavens	1999-2001	5	6
Paul Lambrichts	1984	5	6
Albert De Roover	1997	5	6
Stéphane Van der Heyden	1991-1994	4	13
Maurits De Schrijver	1981-1982	4	10
Nicolas Lombaerts*	2005-	4	8
Koenraad Sanders	1989-1990	4	7
Jonathan Walasiak*	2003-	4	6
Michel De Groote	1981-1985	4	6
Gert Claessens	1996-1998	4	6
François Sterchele	2007-2008	4	6
Tristan Peersman*	2004-	4	5
Gregory Dufer*	2004-	4	5
Eden Hazard*	2008-	4	4
Sebastien Pocognoli*	2008-	4	4
Gunter Verjans	1995-1996	4	4
Jean Petit	1938-1938	4	4
Dominique Lemoine	1997	4	4
Brian Vandenbussche*	2006-	3	13
Jean-François de Sart	1989-1990	3	12
Geoffrey Claeys	1996-1998	3	8
Georges Leekens	1973-1978	3	6
Davy Oyen	1998-1999	3	6
Thomas Chatelle*	2004-	3	4
Peter Crève	1984-1988	3	4
Frédéric Peiremans	1996	3	4
Daniel Kimoni	1999	3	4
Jonathan Blondel*	2002-	3	3
Maurice Willems	1956-1957	3	3
Franky Dekenne	1987-1988	3	3
David Brocken	1997-2000	2	6
Erwin Lemmens	1999-2004	2	5
Guy Thys	1952-1953	2	4
Tom de Mul*	2004-	2	3
Jos Heyligen	1973-1980	2	3
Alain Bettagno	1992-1995	2	3
Cédric Roussel	2003	2	3
Pieter Collen*	2006-	2	2
Christophe Grégoire*	2007-	2	2
Jeroen Simaeys*	2008-	2	2
Igor De Camargo*	2009-	2	2
Nordin Jbari	1996-1997	2	2
Ronald Foguenne	1995	2	2
Christophe Lauwers	1996	2	2
Stijn Vreven	2002	2	2
Dany Verlinden	1993-1998	1	15
Franky Vandendriessche	2002-2003	1	6
Filip Haagdoren	1995-1997	1	5
Wim De Decker*	2006-	1	4
Gunther Hofmans	1991-1992	1	4
Tom Caluwé*	2006-	1	3
Killian Overmeire*	2007-	1	2
Birger Maertens*	2005-	1	2
Davy Schollen*	2006-	1	2
Joris Van Hout	2001-2002	1	2
Dimitri M'Buyu	1987	1	2
Alain De Nil	1992	1	2
Dirk Huysmans	1995	1	2
Geert Broeckaert	1990	1	1
Didier Ernst	1999	1	1

the * denotes a player still playing or available for selection.

[edit] Top Belgium goalscorers

As of February 11, 2009:

#	Player	Belgium career	Goals (Caps)
1	Bernard Voorhoof	1928-1940	30 (61)
=	Paul van Himst	1960-1974	30 (81)
3	Marc Wilmots	1990-2002	28 (70)
4	Joseph Mermans	1945-1956	27 (56)
5	Robert de Veen	1906-1913	26 (23)
=	Raymond Braine	1925-1939	26 (54)
7	Marc Degryse	1984-1996	23 (63)
=	Jan Ceulemans	1976-1991	23 (96)
9	Wesley Sonck*	2001-	23 (48)
10	Henri 'Rik' Coppens	1949-1959	21 (47)
11	Léopold Anoul	1947-1954	20 (48)
=	Erwin Vandenbergh	1979-1991	20 (48)
13	Jean Capelle	1931-1939	19 (34)
14	Raoul Lambert	1966-1977	18 (33)
=	Vincenzo Scifo	1984-1998	18 (84)
16	Emile Mpenza*	1997-	17 (54)
17	Paul Vandenberg	1957-1967	16 (38)
18	Johan Devrindt	1964-1975	15 (23)
19	Victor Lemberechts	1945-1955	14 (42)
=	François van der Elst	1973-1983	14 (44)
21	Jacques Stockman	1958-1967	13 (32)
=	Bart Goor*	1999-	13 (78)
23	Nico Claesen	1983-1990	12 (36)
24	Henri Larnoe	1920-1925	11 (22)
25	Fernand Nisot	1911-1920	10 (14)
=	Odilon Polleunis	1968-1975	10 (22)
=	Gert Verheyen	1994-2002	10 (50)
=	Luc Nilis	1988-2000	10 (56)
29	Albert de Cleyn	1946-1948	9 (12)
=	Robert Coppée	1919-1924	9 (15)
=	Marc van der Linden	1983-1990	9 (19)
=	Ferdinand Adams	1924-1930	9 (23)
=	Louis Saeys	1907-1914	9 (24)
=	Stanley Vanden Eynde	1931-1938	9 (26)
=	Wilfried Puis	1962-1975	9 (49)
=	Wilfried van Moer	1966-1982	9 (57)
=	Franky Vercauteren	1977-1989	9 (63)
=	Joseph Jurion	1955-1967	9 (64)
39	Alphonse Six	1910-1912	8 (9)
=	Sylvian Brebart	1912-1914	8 (12)
=	Henri Isemborghs	1935-1939	8 (16)
=	Frédéric Chaves d'Aguilar	1946-1951	8 (20)
=	Maurice Gillis	1922-1928	8 (23)
=	Louis Versyp	1928-1936	8 (34)
=	Lorenzo Staelens	1989-2000	8 (70)

the * denotes a player still playing or available for selection.

[edit] Coaches

Before 1910, a committee of the Belgian federation selected the players.

1910-1913: William Maxwell
1914: Charles Bunyan
1920-1928: William Maxwell
1928-1930: Victor Löwenfelt
1930-1934: Hector Goetinck
1935: Jules Turnauer
1935-1940: Jack Butler
1944-1946: François Demol
1947-1953: Bill Gormlie
1953-1954: Dougall Livingstone
1955-1957: André Vandeweyer
1957 (caretaker): Louis Nicolay
1957-1958: Geza Toldi
1958-1968: Constant Vanden Stock
June 19, 1968-April 26, 1976: Raymond Goethals
May 22, 1976-June 9, 1989: Guy Thys
July 23, 1989-February 21, 1990: Walter Meeuws
May 26, 1990-May 1, 1991: Guy Thys
September 1, 1991-March 25, 1996: Paul Van Himst
October 8, 1996-December 27, 1996: Wilfried Van Moer
February 11, 1997-August 18, 1999: Georges Leekens
August 20, 1999-June 30, 2002: Robert Waseige
August 21, 2002-December 31, 2005: Aimé Anthuenis
January 1, 2006-April 7,2009: René Vandereycken

[edit] Captains

#	Name	Performances as captain
1.	Jan Ceulemans	51
2.	Jef Jurion	40
3.	Paul van Himst	37
=.	Armand Swartenbroeks	37
5.	Jef Mermans	30
6.	Georges Grün	24
7.	Marc Wilmots	23
8.	Eric Gerets	22
9.	Julien Cools	20
10.	Lorenzo Staelens	19
	Timmy Simons	?
	Franky van der Elst	?
	Enzo Scifo	?
	Bernard Voorhoof	?
	Wilfried van Moer	?
	Bart Goor	?
	Joseph Musch	?
	Vic Mees	?
	Christian Piot	?
	Eric Deflandre	?
	Marc Degryse	?
	Emile Mpenza	?
	Mbo Mpenza	?
	Pierre Braine	?
	Léopold Anoul	?
	...	?

[edit] See also

Belgium national under-21 football team
Belgium national youth football team (U-17, U-18, U-19, U20, U23 Squads)

[edit] External links

Footbel.be website - Belgian FA official website
Footbel.be/National team statistics page/
The Red Devils Archive
RSSSF archive of results 1904-
RSSSF archive of most capped players and highest goalscorers
RSSSF archive of coaches 1904-
IFFHS Archive:1904-1910

Belgium national football team

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[edit] Youngest Players

[edit] The 10 youngest players in history

[edit] 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

[edit] Caps

[edit] Top Belgium goalscorers

[edit] Coaches

[edit] Captains

[edit] See also

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