Belgium’s new head coach Mark Van Bommel opened his first camp by telling the Red Devils that their World Cup run had shown they were close to the very top of the tournament. Addressing a 28-man squad before Nations League meetings with Italy, France and Turkey, the Dutchman said Belgium had possessed the quality to go all the way.
Van Bommel’s first message to Belgium
Van Bommel used his opening meeting with the players to look back on Belgium’s World Cup campaign in the United States, Canada and Mexico, where Spain eventually lifted the trophy.
- The new coach told the squad that, with greater fortune, Belgium could have progressed further.
- He said the Red Devils had even been capable of winning the World Cup.
- The Nations League window will give Van Bommel his first competitive opportunity to work with the group, beginning with fixtures against Italy, France and Turkey.
The appointment brings a new voice to a team that reached the quarter-finals under former coach Rudi Garcia, but left the World Cup with a sense that its tournament had turned on narrow moments.
A World Cup campaign decided late
Belgium finished first in their group despite making an uneven start to the finals. A 1-1 draw with Egypt was followed by a goalless match against Iran, before the team produced a 5-1 win over New Zealand.
Belgium’s route to the quarter-finals
- Group stage: 1-1 against Egypt.
- Group stage: 0-0 against Iran.
- Group stage: 5-1 victory over New Zealand.
- Round of 32: a 3-2 extra-time win over Senegal.
- Round of 16: a 4-1 victory against the United States.
- Quarter-final: a 2-1 defeat to Spain.
The Spain match brought Belgium’s campaign to an end in the 88th minute. Fabián Ruiz gave Spain the lead, Charles De Ketelaere restored parity for Belgium, and Mikel Merino struck the decisive late goal. The quarter-final was also affected by an injury to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Nations League becomes the next marker
Van Bommel now takes charge with Belgium’s World Cup experience still fresh and a demanding Nations League schedule immediately ahead. Matches against Italy, France and Turkey will set the early rhythm of his tenure, while his first camp has already made clear that he sees Belgium’s recent quarter-final as evidence of a side that can compete for the biggest prizes.
