Good World Cup draw for Belgium

Marc Wilmots’ Belgian side secured one of the kindest draws possible for the World Cup finals in Brazil next year, matched with Russia, Algeria and South Korea in the group stage. Although Belgium slipped from fifth to 11th place in this month’s FIFA ranking, all three of its rivals in Group H are far behind in the listing.

Under the guidance of Italian coach Fabio Capello, Russia at No 22 are in their first World Cup finals in 12 years, but they have a poor record at major finals since the Soviet breakup, making the knockout rounds only once, at Euro 2008. 

South Korea, in its eighth consecutive World Cup appearance, is currently 54th in the FIFA rankings, but has the best recent record of the group, reaching the 2002 semi-finals. Algeria at No 26, have never gone past the group stage.

Belgium’s first game is against Algeria at Belo Horizonte on 17 June. They play Russia at Rio de Janeiro on 22 June and South Korea at São Paulo 26 June.