In Belgium’s camp, Mark Van Bommel has opened his tenure by asking the Red Devils to look back at the World Cup with belief rather than regret. The Dutchman, appointed as Belgium’s new national coach, told his first 28-man squad that the side had been close to going all the way in the tournament ultimately won by Spain.
Gathering the players ahead of Nations League meetings with Italy, France and Turkey, Van Bommel argued that a little more fortune could have carried Belgium beyond their quarter-final exit. “At the World Cup you could have gone further with a bit more luck,” he told the group. “You might even have won it.”
Belgium’s run in the United States, Canada and Mexico had begun under previous coach Rudi Garcia with first place in their group. They drew 1-1 with Egypt, played out a goalless match against Iran and then swept past New Zealand 5-1.
The knockout rounds brought a 3-2 extra-time victory over Senegal in the round of 32, followed by a commanding 4-1 win over the United States in the last 16. Their journey ended against Spain in the quarter-finals, where Mikel Merino struck in the 88th minute to settle a 2-1 contest.
Fabián Ruiz had put Spain ahead before Charles De Ketelaere restored parity for Belgium, in a match also shaped by an injury to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Spain went on to lift the World Cup after beating Argentina in the final, leaving Van Bommel to present Belgium’s campaign as evidence of a team still capable of reaching the summit.
A new Nations League test
The immediate task is to turn that World Cup disappointment into momentum. Italy, France and Turkey offer a demanding opening sequence for Van Bommel, whose first message has been clear: Belgium should not regard their recent elimination as a limit, but as a measure of what the current group can still pursue.
