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FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualified Team: Belgium
Football
Belgium was at the first World Cup in 1930 and have played a total of 13 World Cups. Belgium was my pick to win Russian 2018 but they lost a close game to France 1-0 in the semi finals.
Eden Hazard had a great tournament and was voted the second best player. A year later he moved to Real Madrid and has been plagued with injuries and loss of form. The spotlight has shifted to Kevin De Bruyne who has been sensational with Manchester City for the last 12 months.
Considered as one of the best midfielders in the world, he has played 91 times and scored 24 times for Belgium. Leading the attack for Belgium will be Romelu Lukaku the highest goal scorer with a remarkable 68 goals in 102 appearances.
Travel
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and home of the Belgian Royal Family. It also has the central offices of the European Union. Brussels is a melting pot of ethnicities and has every cuisine you could think of trying. Brussels Old Town has an abundance of historic landmarks and some stunning Baroque and Gothic architecture.
In the center of the Old town is the main square called Grand Place (Grote Markt). In the main square you will find the Brussels Town Hall (Hôtel de ville de Bruxelles), and also the many historic Guild Houses (Gildehuizeb).
Close by on the Rue de l'Etuve is the famous Manneken Pis statue. Round the corner you can visit Saint-Michel Cathedral, a Gothic church that was started in 1225 which has twin towers and fabulous stained-glass windows.
The Palais Royale, the Royal Family's official residence, looks out onto the city center. On the palace grounds is the excavated Coudenberg Palace Archaeological Site, a fascinating dig site of the original palace's foundations and long-buried streets that is open for tourists to enjoy. Very close is The Mont des Arts, home to some important museums, including the Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts insert photo that has an ancient art wing and a modern art wing.
At the Parc du Cinquantenaire, you can tour the Belgian Army Museum and Museum of Military History, as well as the Royal Art and History Museum.
Located near to Bruges are the seaside towns of Knokke and Ostend. Knokke is best known for its affluent community called Knokke-Heist. If you love art you’ve hit the jackpot with an amazing 85 galleries to peruse. Ostend has great beaches and many good museums including the De Plate Museum, with local history, and the Museum of Fine Art.
Bruges is one of Europe’s most well-preserved mediaeval towns in Europe. Located in North West Belgium it used to be an important center for Flemish art and textiles, Bruges today is well known for its pretty canals.
Bruges is the biggest city in Western Flanders, but you can explore the whole place by foot. The Old Town is the most popular stop for tourists. It’s surrounded by beautiful canals and mediaeval walls. Also, you can enjoy architecture from the Romanesque and Gothic churches like the Church of Our Lady that contains a Michelangelo sculpture. The city’s most famous site is the Belfry Tower. Tourists can climb this 13th-century bell tower and get great views of the whole city. Don’t ignore the wonderful Gruuthuse Mansion, and the grand Saint John’s Hospital , which was established in 1188.
Take a stroll down cobblestone streets and find many shops selling delicious chocolates, Belgian beer and traditional lacework. Take a picturesque cruise along the canal or a romantic ride on a white horse drawn carriage.
For the Foodies
Fries are considered the unofficial national dish of Belgium. Belgium’s fries taste so good because they carefully select their potatoes before giving them a double fry.
Waterzooi, which was invented in Ghent, is a delicious stew of chicken or fish, and root vegetables. The ingredients are simmered in cream and thickened vegetable stock, and topped with an egg yolk.
Anguilles au Vert or “Eel in the green '' is an interesting Belgian seafood dish and considered a delicacy in Belgium. The dish has stewed eel, cooked in a thick green sauce. It is usually served with fries.
The ‘Belgian Waffle’ does not exist in Belgium. Instead, there are two types of waffles: Liège Waffles and Brussels Waffles. Liège waffles are thicker and much sweeter. Usually baked in plain, or cinnamon flavors. Brussels waffles are bigger, lighter and crispier. They are less sweet then Liege waffles. Both waffles may be topped with whipped cream, chocolate, ice cream, and different fruits. You haven’t had a waffle until you have eaten one in Belgium.
How is Belgium going to do at the World Cup?
