Can Belgium's Football Team Finally Win a Major Tournament This Year?

I still remember sitting in that Ninoy Aquino Stadium back on Wednesday, December 18 at 5 p.m., watching a local football match while my mind kept drifting to Belgium's golden generation. There's something about Belgian football that's always fascinated me – this incredible pool of talent that somehow never quite clicks when it matters most. As someone who's followed international football for over two decades, I've developed this love-hate relationship with Belgium's national team. They're like that brilliant friend who aces every test but somehow messes up the final exam.

The current Belgian squad boasts what might be their most talented generation ever – let's be honest, when you have players like Kevin De Bruyne orchestrating midfield and Romelu Lukaku leading the attack, expectations should be sky-high. Yet here we are, years after their supposed golden era began, still wondering if this is finally their moment. I've lost count of how many times I've seen them dominate qualifying campaigns only to stumble at major tournaments. Their performance in the 2018 World Cup gave us hope, reaching the semifinals and playing some breathtaking football along the way. But that third-place finish, while respectable, felt like unfinished business rather than an achievement.

What really gets me thinking is whether this year feels different. The team has evolved since Russia 2018 – they've integrated younger talents like Jeremy Doku while maintaining their experienced core. Statistics from their qualifying campaign are impressive, scoring 25 goals while conceding just 6 in 8 matches. Those numbers suggest a team that's both creative and disciplined, though we all know tournament football is a different beast entirely. I've noticed how their manager has been experimenting with different formations recently, trying to find that perfect balance between defensive solidity and attacking flair.

Looking at their potential competition, the landscape has shifted significantly. Traditional powerhouses like Germany and Spain are in transition phases, while France and England look formidable but not invincible. This might actually be the most open major tournament in recent memory, which could work in Belgium's favor. Their group stage draw appears manageable on paper, but as any seasoned football fan will tell you, there are no easy games at this level. I recall watching them struggle against what seemed like inferior opposition in previous tournaments, those frustrating draws against teams they should be beating comfortably.

The psychological aspect cannot be overstated either. Having followed this team through multiple heartbreaks, I sense there's a mental block that needs overcoming. That crushing defeat to Italy in Euro 2020 quarterfinals still haunts them, I'm sure. But what gives me hope is seeing how players like Youri Tielemans have matured, bringing that big-game experience from their club careers. The leadership within the squad seems stronger now, with multiple players capable of stepping up in crucial moments rather than relying on one or two superstars.

My gut feeling – and this is purely personal speculation based on years of observation – is that this might genuinely be their best shot at glory. The squad depth is there, the experience of previous tournaments has hardened them, and the competition, while fierce, doesn't include that one overwhelmingly dominant team. They'll need luck with injuries, of course, and someone will need to produce those magical moments that define championship runs. But sitting here, remembering that evening match in Manila while contemplating Belgium's prospects, I can't help but feel optimistic. This could finally be the year when potential transforms into silverware, when the nearly-men become champions. The pieces seem to be falling into place, though in football, as in life, nothing is ever certain until the final whistle blows.