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I've been following Belgium's national football team for over a decade now, and I have to admit - this current squad gives me genuine hope that 2024 might finally be their year. Watching their recent performances, particularly their dominant 3-0 victory against Sweden in October 2023, I can't help but feel something special is brewing. The way Jeremy Doku has been terrorizing defenders and Kevin De Bruyne's midfield mastery makes me believe this generation might just overcome what I call "the Belgian curse" - that frustrating pattern of having incredible individual talent but falling short in major tournaments.

Looking at their current FIFA ranking of 4th place, which they've maintained since the 2023 update, it's clear this isn't the same team that crashed out of the 2022 World Cup group stage. Under new manager Domenico Tedesco, there's been what I'd describe as a tactical revolution. The statistics show it too - they've won 8 of their last 10 matches, scoring 24 goals while conceding only 6. What really stood out to me was their 3-2 comeback against Germany last March, where they showed a mental resilience I hadn't seen from previous Belgian squads.

The current rankings definitely ensure that it is still anybody's race, paving the way for what could be a thrilling end to the tournament. This uncertainty actually works in Belgium's favor, if you ask me. Unlike previous tournaments where they were outright favorites and crumbled under pressure, this time they can approach matches with what I'd call "confident underdog" status. I've noticed how this psychological shift has affected their playing style - they're playing more freely, taking more creative risks, and honestly, it's some of the most exciting football I've seen from them in years.

What really gives me confidence about Belgium's football squad chances in 2024 is their balanced composition. They've got experienced veterans like Jan Vertonghen (36 years old but still performing at elite level, believe it or not) blending perfectly with emerging talents like 21-year-old Romeo Lavia. I was at the King Power Stadium when Lavia dominated Manchester City's midfield last season, and I remember thinking - this kid is exactly what Belgium needs. Their defensive organization has improved dramatically too, with 7 clean sheets in their last 15 matches compared to just 3 in the 15 matches before Tedesco took over.

The road to winning a major tournament won't be easy though. Looking at potential opponents, France remains the bookmakers' favorite with what I consider an almost unfair depth of talent. Then there's England with their young attacking trio and Spain's possession-based system that has historically given Belgium trouble. But here's what I think gives Belgium an edge - their team chemistry seems genuinely stronger than I've seen in years. The way they celebrated together after qualifying for Euro 2024 showed me this isn't just a collection of stars but an actual team that believes in each other.

From my perspective as someone who's analyzed Belgian football for years, the key will be managing expectations and staying healthy. If De Bruyne can maintain his current form (he's created 45 chances in his last 10 international appearances, which is just insane) and Lukaku continues his scoring streak (9 goals in qualifying), I genuinely believe they can go all the way. Their group stage draw looks favorable too, though we won't know the exact opponents until December.

What's fascinating to me is how Belgium's football squad has evolved tactically. They've shifted from relying heavily on counter-attacks to what I'd describe as "controlled aggression" - maintaining possession but with purposeful forward movement. The statistics bear this out - their average possession has increased from 52% in 2022 to 58% in 2023, while their passes into the final third have jumped by 17%. These might seem like dry numbers, but when you watch them play, you can see how this tactical evolution makes them much more dangerous.

I've got to be honest about my bias here - I've been waiting for Belgium to win a major tournament since I started following football seriously back in 1998. There's something about this particular squad that feels different though. Maybe it's the way they've responded to adversity, or perhaps it's the genuine camaraderie I see in their social media posts and post-match interviews. They seem hungrier, more united, and tactically smarter than previous generations.

The current rankings definitely ensure that it is still anybody's race, paving the way for what could be a thrilling end to the tournament, and honestly, I think Belgium thrives in this environment. They've won 4 of their last 5 matches against top-10 ranked teams, which shows they can compete with the best when it matters. Their expected goals (xG) statistics have improved dramatically too - from 1.8 per match in 2022 to 2.4 in 2023, which tells me they're creating better quality chances rather than just taking more shots.

As we look toward Euro 2024, I'm more optimistic about Belgium's football squad than I've been in years. They've got the talent, the tactical flexibility, and what appears to be the right mental approach. Will they finally win that elusive major tournament? Based on what I've seen recently, I'd put their chances at about 40% - higher than most pundits would give them, but sometimes you've got to trust your gut feeling about these things. The pieces are there, and if everything clicks at the right time, we might just witness history in 2024.

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