With new manager Elisabet Gunnarsdottir still finding her feet and recent results underwhelming, Belgium will struggle to replicate their last-eight success of Euro 2022.
What to expect
Belgium dismissed Ives Serneels after his 14-year spell in charge and replaced him with Elisabet Gunnarsdottir from Iceland. It was a bold and timely choice after the Red Flames seemed to stagnate under Serneels, but the new appointee has struggled to take the team forward. She took over after Belgium had already qualified for Euro 2025 and in the Nations League, Belgium finished third in a group with Spain, England and Portugal but rarely impressed with the exception of a 3-2 win over the defending European champions.
A recent 5-0 defeat against France in a friendly highlighted how big the gap still is with the elite. Belgium’s domestic league is underdeveloped and the best players ply their trade abroad, including the team’s undisputed star striker Tessa Wullaert. She carries her side, so much so that Belgium sometimes get accused of being a one-woman team.
With Saar Janssen, Laura De Neve and Féli Delacauw all injured, Belgium are also missing several players that boast experience. In possession, Gunnarsdottir prefers a 3-4-3, but the team has not always shown confidence when on the ball. That will be needed in Group B where Spain, Italy and Portugal represent tough opposition. Spain play on a different level altogether, but Belgium will be competitive against the two other opponents.
In the recent Nations League, Belgium defeated Portugal 3-0 after a first-leg 1-0 loss at home and at Euro 2022 they defeated Italy 1-0 in their last group game to clinch a historic spot among the last eight. Replicating such a result would be a huge success for a team in transition.
Star Players
Tessa Wullaert (Inter Milan) – Take her out of the team and Belgium are not half as good. The team relies heavily on her experience and goals. Belgium’s talisman is her country’s record scorer with 93 goals. She was on the scoresheet repeatedly in the Nations League and delivered a goal and assist in the last friendly against Greece. Wullaert drops deep – and into midfield – when she gets marked out of the game. At the club level, she has played for Fortuna Sittard and VFL Wolfsburg, and Manchester City fans will remember her from a her two-season spell in Northern England.
Head Coach
Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir spent 14 years as manager of Swedish clubs Kristianstads, just like her predecessor at Belgium Ives Serneels spent 14 years with the national team. She has demonstrated to be flexible tactically, but results have been mixed so far with a standout win against England, but some heavy defeats against both Spain and France as well as defeat at home to Portugal. She has previous experience in international football as a member of Iceland’s backroom staff.
Schedule
July 3, 2025: vs Italy – Stade de Tourbillon, Sion, 6 pm
July 7, 2025: vs Spain – Arena Thun, Thun, 6 pm
July 11, 2025: vs Portugal – Stade de Tourbillon, Sion, 9 pm