Belgium, who finished no higher than fourth in the 2020-2021 Nations League, entered the current international break with mixed results.
They secured a 3-1 victory over Israel but then suffered a 2-0 defeat to France in the group stage. On Thursday, the Red Devils faced Italy with hopes of improving their standing and making a move up the rankings.
On Monday, they will meet France once again, the team that knocked them out of the last Euro with a narrow 1-0 loss in the round of 16. While the Belgian team may not be as dominant as they were a decade ago, they are still aiming for a spot in the Final Four of the Nations League, though their primary objective is to avoid finishing last in the group and facing relegation.
Two more matches remain in November to conclude the group stage. France, meanwhile, secured a 2-0 victory over Belgium in September and will be looking to maintain their form.
The French squad was eager to build on that momentum when they faced Israel, the group’s weakest team on paper, aiming for three consecutive wins against Belgium.
Didier Deschamps’ side reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024 in Germany but was eliminated by Spain, who went on to win the tournament 2-1.
However, France’s tactics were heavily criticized back home. This Nations League campaign will require stronger performances if they want to repeat their success from the 2020-2021 edition, where they won the tournament.
Belgium’s “golden generation” has largely come to an end, with key players like Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku either retiring from international football or being left out of the squad. Lukaku, who now plays for Napoli and has scored 85 goals in 119 appearances, was not called up by coach Domenico Tedesco following Euro 2024.
Other notable absences include full-back Thomas Meunier (Lille, 67 caps), central defender Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht, 157 caps) who retired after the Euro, and playmaker Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City, 30 goals in 107 caps), who is injured. Midfielder Amadou Onana (Aston Villa, 19 caps) was called up but had to withdraw.
Players like central defenders Wout Faes (Leicester, 21 caps) and Arthur Theate (Frankfurt, 20 caps), midfielder Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa, 72 caps), striker Leandro Trossard (Arsenal, 9 goals in 37 caps), and newcomer Malick Fofana (Olympique Lyonnais) will feature for Belgium.
France is also missing key players, including Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid, 44 goals in 137 caps), who retired before this international window, and Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid, 48 goals in 86 caps), who was left out due to injury. Olivier Giroud also stepped down after the Euro.
In addition, midfielder N’Golo Kanté (Al-Ittihad, 63 caps) was rested due to a physical issue, and starting center-back Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich, 27 caps) had to withdraw due to injury and was replaced by Loïc Badé (Sevilla FC), who earned his first call-up. Adrien Rabiot (48 caps) was not selected after his recent debut with Marseille, and Benjamin Pavard (Inter, 54 caps) hasn’t been called up since the Euro.
However, key players like goalkeeper Mike Maignan (AC Milan, 24 caps), defender Jules Koundé (Barcelona, 36 caps), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan, 34 caps), and Ousmane Dembélé (PSG, 6 goals in 51 caps) will play.
Koné (AS Roma, 2 caps) and Michael Olise (Bayern, 2 caps) have returned to the squad, and Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea, 10 caps) will take advantage of Mbappé’s absence.
Prediction
Few expected Belgium to be in a relegation battle, but after losing ten of their last 11 games and winning only once at home all season, that is their current reality. In contrast, title-contending France has won seven of their last ten UEFA Nations League matches.
Prediction: Belgium 0-1 France.
