Belgium

Euro 2024 qualifying groups: Italy faces England, France lands the Netherlands

FRANKFURT, Germany - Defending champions Italy will face England in their Euro 2024 qualifying group, a repeat of last year's tournament final, following the draw on Sunday in Frankfurt's Festhalle.

The Italians, who beat England 3-2 on penalties at London's Wembley stadium in 2021 to lift the trophy will also play North Macedonia, who prevented Roberto Mancini's side from reaching the World Cup, and Malta in Group C.

Latest FIFA rankings: USMNT anxiety reflected in fall from top 15

The final FIFA rankings before the 2022 World Cup were released Thursday, revealing a top five that's largely in line with what the odds makers have for the tournament in Qatar. 

Brazil rightfully holds the top spot and is seen as the favorite after turning its qualifying campaign into a program on Joga TV, while the Seleção's eternal rivals, Argentina, sit third riding a 35-match unbeaten streak.

Belgium kit rescored: We all overlooked the greatest socks in football history

When adidas dropped the new Belgium kit for the 2022 World Cup, we all had a laugh about how it's something Guy Fieri would wear while eating his bodyweight in sloppy joes at a local dive.

Predicting 10 Of The Biggest World Cup Snubs

This week serves as the final international break before clubs must release players to their national teams just one week before the World Cup begins, so the latest squad selections should be huge indicators of the final 26-man rosters for the competing nations.

However, a look at the current teams indicates that this won't be a traditional World Cup of blockbuster snubs, but rather an exploration of player pools in an attritional battle against lingering muscle strains.

Team-By-Team Guides: 2022 World Cup Previews

To prepare you for the tournament, The18 has launched 2022 World Cup team previews for each of the 32 nations competing in Qatar. 

Below you will find each team listed along with a link to those previews that have been published. Check back throughout the buildup to the 2022 World Cup as we publish a complete list of World Cup team previews, updated with the latest on each team participating in the greatest men's soccer tournament in the world. 

El Acrobático Gol De Haaland Es Igualito A Uno Que Cuauhtémoc Blanco Hizo En Francia 1998

ErlErling Haaland volvió a maravillar al mundo con su surreal olfato goleador en la victoria por 2-1 del Manchester City sobre su ex equipo, el Borussia Dortmund. Y si bien el noruego marcó solo uno de los goles del club inglés, lo que captura la conversación es la sensacional acrobacia que hizo para conectar el pase a tres dedos de Joao Cancelo. 

Just How Hot Is Qatar? Hot But Not Sweltering Temps Will Be The Norm At World Cup

Scorching temperatures are one of the many reasons Qatar is the most controversial World Cup host of all time. During June and July, the months in which the World Cup is traditionally held, temperatures in the Arab nation peak around 120 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature at which, unsurprisingly, it is simply unsafe to play a 90+ minute soccer match.

The Top 9 Best Midfielders Playing At The 2022 World Cup

Midfielders are the heartbeat of any soccer side. They control the pace of play, create chances, contribute to attack and defense and oversee the transition between the two. With technique, creativity and intelligence, a world class midfielder is a joy to watch.

From iconic legends to up-and-coming stars, the 2022 Qatar World Cup is filled to the brim with exceptional midfield players. Who rises to the top? Without further ado, here are the ten best 2022 World Cup midfielders, ranked.  

Freestyler Megs Kevin De Bruyne And Belgian Star Couldn’t Have Looked More Pissed Off

Kevin De Bruyne didn’t have the greatest week. For starters he’s gone on record to say he hates the UEFA Nations League calling the tournament “glorified friendlies”, then he and Belgium got embarrassed at home in a 4-1 defeat to the Netherlands on Friday and to top it all off a De Bruyne nutmeg video has gone viral.

No. 2 In The World Belgium Gets Embarrassed By Dutch At Home 4-1

BRUSSELS — Memphis Depay scored a double as the Netherlands ended 25 years without success against neighbors Belgium with a 4-1 thumping of their hosts in the Nations League in Brussels on Friday.

Steven Bergwijn and Denzel Dumfries netted the other two goals as the Dutch ended Belgium’s almost six-year unbeaten home record in a stark reversal for the team, who had topped the FIFA rankings for three years until being recently deposed.

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