Belgium’s World Cup Hopes Dim as Eden Hazard Admits Team Weaker Than 2018

"We shouldn’t hide. We’re not as strong as in 2018. But we have better young people than in Russia. Anything can happen. The quality is there. Often in big games, this quality makes the difference. Real Madrid wasn’t the only favorite for the Champions League. But Karim (Benzema) scored all the important goals and Thibaut (Courtois) saved everything. It was the dream year," said Eden Hazard in an interview with l’Équipe.

"For Belgium, we have Kevin (De Bruyne) who is in the world’s top 3. The best goalkeeper in the world. I’ve been playing with him for ten years and I’ve always said the same thing about him. We have fantastic players. But it’s a bit more complicated collectively. If Romelu (Lukaku, uncertain for the 1st round) plays, we’re almost sure to score," he explained.

Although he is aware of the team’s decline in form, the Belgian striker still hopes that the Red Devils will go far in the competition. Dreaming of reaching the first World Cup final in their history. "We have to qualify. In 2018, the beginnings were not easy against Panama (3-0). Dries (Mertens) had unblocked the situation (47th). Jonathan David scores a lot with Canada. And I’m not saying that because he plays at LOSC. Morocco has good players, like Croatia. The one who manages it best will win."