Julian Finney/Getty Images
For one of the 11 founding members of FIFA, Belgium's proud football tradition fizzled following its 2002 World Cup appearance and the end of its 'Golden Generation' that included a run to the 1986 semifinals and a loss to Diego Maradona and eventual champion Argentina.
Yet, built from the youth levels on up, Belgium flourished with this young group, which is built around players strewn amongst Europe's top professional divisions. Get used to names such as Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Marouane Fellaini, Nacer Chadli, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois because if this group doesn't make a deep run here in Brazil, it could very well be the favorite in Russia in 2018. Those players will front a veteran defensive group buoyed by Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen and 36-year-old Daniel Van Buyten.
Coached by legendary player Wilmots, captain of the 2002 squad, the Red Devils reached a peak of No. 5 in the world ranking last October just six years after dropping to No. 71.
Like Germany, Belgium can come at opponents in many different ways, but it has needed to grind out one-goal wins over Algeria, Russia and Korea in Group H, although it was resting several key players in the group finale against Korea on Thursday. And at 22, Courtois, who anchored Atletico Madrid's run to the La Liga title and Champions League final, is one of world's rising goalies.
World Ranking: 11
Nickname: Red Devils
Manager: Marc Wilmots
Best World Cup finish: 1986 (Fourth)
Last appearance: 2002 (Round of 16)
Title : Up next for US Men's National Soccer Team during World Cup: Belgium
Description : Julian Finney/Getty Images For one of the 11 founding members of FIFA, Belgium's proud football tradition fizzled following its 2002 Wor...