Belgium World Cup 2014 Profile: Can the Premier League All-stars Create History?

Manager: Marc Wilmots.

World Ranking: 12.

How they qualified: Topped Group A ahead of the likes of Croatia, Serbia and Scotland.

World Cup Best: Fourth place - 1986.

Fixtures: Group H - Algeria (17 June), Russia (22 June), Korea Republic (16 June).

Squad -

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet, Sammy Bossut.

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld, Anthony Vanden Borre, Daniel Van Buyten, Vincent Kompany, Jan Vertonghen, Thomas Vermaelen, Nicolas Lombaerts, Laurent Ciman.

Midfielders: Axel Witsel, Marouane Fellaini, Steven Defour, Moussa Dembele, Nacer Chadli, Kevin De Bruyne.

Forwards: Romelu Lukaku, Divock Origi, Eden Hazard, Kevin Mirallas, Dries Mertens, Adnan Januzaj.

Expectations: Belgium come into the World Cup after a 12-year absence with the best group of world-class players since their golden generation of the late 1980's and early 90's. Wilmots' side have registered an almost record in reaching Brazil and travel to the tournament with high expectations.

Their kind group stage draw should seem them reach the last 16 smoothly. In the knock-out phase, Germany or Portugal could follow - a true test of the Red Devils' recent progress.

Star man: Eden Hazard – The Chelsea man has been in brilliant form this season, netting 14 goals in 35 league appearances and will have a key role in leading the team to victory. Tottenham flop Nacer Chadli, the symbol of the wealthy of the Belgian youth system, has qualities to outshine the Blues' winger though.

Romelu Lukaku will also be a huge threat in the Belgium squad in the absence of Christian Benteke, after the youngster produced in the Premier League for Everton. Hazard is among several promising players, along with Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Toby Alderweireld while Wilmots' side have one of the best defenders of the competition with powerful duo Vincent Kompany at his disposal.

Prediction: Quarter final – Belgium are expected to win the group and thought they could get beyond the round of 16, their lack of experience could be their undoing later in the tournament.