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Belgium national under-21 football team

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Belgium U-21
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Jonge duivels (Young demons)

Jeunes diables (Little devils)

Junge Teufels (Young Devils)
AssociationRoyal Belgian Football Association
Head coachGill Swerts
CaptainAster Vranckx
Most capsJean-François Gillet (36)
Top scorerLoïs Openda (13)
Home stadiumDen Dreef
First colours
Second colours
First international
France 1–1 Belgium
(Amiens, France; 3 September 1976)
Biggest win
Belgium 8–0 Luxembourg
(Mechelen, Belgium; 3 June 2007)
Biggest defeat
Czech Republic 7–0 Belgium
(Prague, Czech Republic; 24 April 2001)
UEFA U-21 Championship
Appearances4 (first in 2002)
Best resultSemi-finals (2007)

The Belgium national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Belgium and is controlled by the Belgian Football Association. The team competes in the European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years. Their biggest successes were winning the 2007–09 International Challenge Trophy and reaching the European Championship semi-finals in 2007 in the Netherlands. Thanks to the latter achievement, Belgium qualified for the football tournament at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Their current home stadium is Den Dreef in Leuven.

UEFA U-21 Championship Record

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Year Round Pld W D L GF GA
Europe 1978 Did not qualify
Europe 1980
Europe 1982
Europe 1984
Europe 1986
Europe 1988
Europe 1990
Europe 1992
France 1994
Spain 1996
Romania 1998
Slovakia 2000
Switzerland 2002 Group stage 3 1 0 2 2 4
Germany 2004 Did not qualify
Portugal 2006
Netherlands 2007 Semi-finals 4 1 2 1 3 4
Sweden 2009 Did not qualify
Denmark 2011
Israel 2013
Czech Republic 2015
Poland 2017
Italy San Marino 2019 Group stage 3 0 0 3 4 8
Hungary Slovenia 2021 Did not qualify
Romania Georgia (country) 2023 Group stage 3 0 2 1 3 4
Slovakia 2025 Did not qualify

Results and fixtures

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Belgium are currently competing for qualification to the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. The table below shows their current standing in the qualification group.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Belgium 10 8 2 0 23 5 +18 26 Final tournament 1–1 0–0 3–0 3–2 2–1
2  Sweden 10 6 2 2 19 8 +11 20 0–3 0–1 1–0 4–1 3–0
3  Turkey 10 5 2 3 14 10 +4 17 1–2 0–3 0–0 4–0 4–2
4  Hungary 10 3 2 5 12 14 −2 11 0–3 2–2 1–2 4–0 2–1
5  Cyprus 10 2 1 7 8 23 −15 7 0–2 0–1 2–1 0–2 2–1
6  Malta 10 1 1 8 8 24 −16 4 0–4 0–4 0–1 2–1 1–1
Source: UEFA

Results

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27 March 2017 Belgium  2–1  Malta Heverlee, Belgium
20:00 CET R. Mmaee 43'
Cools 54'
Report 69' Grech Stadium: Den Dreef
Referee: Rob Harvey (Republic of Ireland)
5 September 2017 Belgium  0–0  Turkey Heverlee, Belgium
20:00 CET Report Stadium: Den Dreef
Referee: Fabio Verissimo (Italy)
6 October 2017 Belgium  1–1  Sweden Heverlee, Belgium
19:00 CET Vanlerberghe 30' Report 61' Dagerstål Stadium: Den Dreef
Referee: Nikola Dabanović (Montenegro)
10 October 2017 Cyprus  0–2  Belgium Larnaca, Cyprus
16:00 CET Report 51' Lukebakio
90+3' Bastien
Stadium: AEK Arena - Georgios Karapatakis
Referee: Kirill Levnikov (Russia)
9 November 2017 Belgium  3–2  Cyprus Heverlee, Belgium
19:00 CET Mbenza 15'
Dimata 45+2'
Leya Iseka 90+2'
Report 49' Papageorgiou
75' Fragkou
Stadium: Den Dreef
Referee: Enea Jorgji (Albania)
14 November 2017 Turkey  1–2  Belgium Istanbul, Turkey
15:00 CET Okutan 5' Report Merih Demiral 45+2' (o.g.)
Schrijvers 87'
Stadium: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium
Referee: Tomasz Musiał (Poland)
26 March 2018 Belgium  3–0  Hungary Heverlee, Belgium
19:00 CET Schrijvers 19'
Lukebakio 64'
Dimata 72' (pen.)
Report Stadium: Den Dreef
Referee: Erez Papir (Israel)
7 September 2018 Malta  0–4  Belgium Ta'Qali, Malta
16:00 CET Report Dimata 11'
Schrijvers 18'
Lukebakio 59'
Leya Iseka 69'
Stadium: National Stadium
Referee: Roomer Tarajev (Estonia)
11 September 2018 Hungary  0–3  Belgium Budapest, Hungary
17:00 CET Report Dimata 20', 73' (pen.)
Schrijvers 86'
Stadium: Szusza Ferenc Stadion
Referee: Tiago Martins (Portugal)
16 October 2018 Sweden  0–3  Belgium Kalmar, Sweden
17:00 CET Report Dimata 29', 40'
Lukebakio 65'
Stadium: Fredriksskans
Referee: Frank Schneider (France)
15 November 2018 Romania  3–3  Belgium Cluj-Napoca, Romania
18:00 CET Drăguș 45' (pen.)
Olaru 90'
Ciobanu 90+1'
Report Cools 35'
Leya 56'
Mbenza 58'
Stadium: Dr. Constantin Rădulescu
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Iulian Călin (Romania)
16 June 2019 Poland  3–2  Belgium Reggio Emilia, Italy
18:30 Żurkowski 26'
Bielik 52'
Szymański 79'
Report Leya Iseka 16'
Cools 84'
Stadium: Mapei Stadium–Città del Tricolore
Attendance: 2,534
Referee: István Kovács (Romania)
19 June 2019 Spain  2–1  Belgium Reggio Emilia, Italy
18:30 Olmo 7'
Fornals 89'
Report Bornauw 24' Stadium: Mapei Stadium–Città del Tricolore
Attendance: 2,738
Referee: Andris Treimanis (Latvia)
22 June 2019 Belgium  1–3  Italy Reggio Emilia, Italy
21:00 Verschaeren 79'
Mbenza Red card 90+3'
Report Barella 44'
Cutrone 53'
Chiesa 89'
Stadium: Mapei Stadium–Città del Tricolore
Attendance: 20,075
Referee: Srđan Jovanović (Serbia)

Current squad

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The following players were called up for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification matches against  Czech Republic on 15 & 19 November 2024.

Note: Names in italics denote players that have been capped by the senior team.

Caps and goals correct as of 19 November 2024.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Senne Lammens (2002-07-07) 7 July 2002 (age 22) 9 0 Belgium Antwerp
12 1GK Tobe Leysen (2002-03-09) 9 March 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Belgium OH Leuven
21 1GK Matthieu Epolo (2005-01-15) 15 January 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Belgium Standard Liège

2 2DF Hugo Siquet (2002-07-09) 9 July 2002 (age 22) 24 0 Belgium Club Brugge
3 2DF Jorne Spileers (2005-01-21) 21 January 2005 (age 19) 12 0 Belgium Club Brugge
4 2DF Zeno Van den Bosch (2003-07-06) 6 July 2003 (age 21) 6 0 Belgium Antwerp
20 2DF Joël Schingtienne (2002-12-30) 30 December 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Italy Venezia
23 2DF Tuur Rommens (2003-03-26) 26 March 2003 (age 21) 9 0 Belgium Westerlo
16 2DF Ilay Camara (2003-01-18) 18 January 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Belgium Standard Liège
5 2DF Matteo Dams (2004-03-09) 9 March 2004 (age 20) 2 0 Netherlands PSV Eindhoven
15 2DF Richie Sagrado (2004-01-30) 30 January 2004 (age 20) 1 0 Italy Venezia
13 2DF Rein Van Helden (2002-07-24) 24 July 2002 (age 22) 2 0 Belgium Sint-Truiden

6 3MF Mandela Keita (2002-05-10) 10 May 2002 (age 22) 12 0 Italy Parma
8 3MF Mario Stroeykens (2004-09-29) 29 September 2004 (age 20) 12 0 Belgium Anderlecht
10 3MF Eliot Matazo (2002-02-15) 15 February 2002 (age 22) 22 0 Belgium Antwerp
7 3MF Konstantinos Karetsas (2007-11-19) 19 November 2007 (age 17) 2 0 Belgium Genk
17 3MF Jarne Steuckers (2002-02-04) 4 February 2002 (age 22) 6 2 Belgium Genk
22 3MF Mathias Delorge (2004-07-31) 31 July 2004 (age 20) 5 0 Belgium Gent

9 4FW Romeo Vermant (2004-01-24) 24 January 2004 (age 20) 6 1 Belgium Club Brugge
11 4FW Kazeem Olaigbe (2003-01-02) 2 January 2003 (age 21) 13 4 Belgium Cercle Brugge
14 4FW Lucas Stassin (2004-11-29) 29 November 2004 (age 20) 9 2 France Saint-Étienne
19 4FW Youssuf Sylla (2002-12-19) 19 December 2002 (age 22) 11 1 Belgium Charleroi
18 4FW Norman Bassette (2004-11-09) 9 November 2004 (age 20) 2 0 England Coventry City

Recent call-ups

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The following players have been called up and remain eligible.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Matt Lendfers (2006-03-10) 10 March 2006 (age 18) 1 0 Belgium Sint-Truiden v.  Kazakhstan, 10 September 2024
GK Maarten Vandevoordt (2002-02-26) 26 February 2002 (age 22) 19 0 Germany RB Leipzig v.  Kazakhstan, 10 September 2024
GK Mike Penders (2005-01-15) 15 January 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Belgium Genk v.  Kazakhstan, 10 September 2024

DF Fedde Leysen (2003-07-09) 9 July 2003 (age 21) 2 0 Belgium Union SG v.  Hungary, 15 October 2024
DF Killian Sardella (2002-05-02) 2 May 2002 (age 22) 15 2 Belgium Anderlecht v.  Hungary, 15 October 2024
DF Ignace Van Der Brempt (2002-04-01) 1 April 2002 (age 22) 15 1 Italy Como v.  Scotland, 11 October 2024
DF Antef Tsoungui (2002-12-30) 30 December 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Belgium OH Leuven v.  Kazakhstan, 10 September 2024
DF Jorthy Mokio (2008-02-29) 29 February 2008 (age 16) 1 1 Netherlands Ajax v.  Kazakhstan, 10 September 2024
DF Matte Smets (2004-01-04) 4 January 2004 (age 20) 2 1 Belgium Genk v.  Kazakhstan, 10 September 2024
DF Rob Nizet (2002-04-14) 14 April 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Netherlands Willem II v.  Morocco, 4 June 2024
DF Bram Lagae (2004-01-14) 14 January 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Belgium Kortrijk v.  Spain, 26 March 2024
DF Nathan Ngoy (2003-06-10) 10 June 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Belgium Standard Liège v.  Spain, 21 November 2023
DF Koni De Winter (2002-06-12) 12 June 2002 (age 22) 18 0 Italy Genoa v.  Spain, 21 November 2023
DF Zeno Debast (2003-10-24) 24 October 2003 (age 21) 4 0 Portugal Sporting CP 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship
DF Ameen Al-Dakhil (2002-04-01) 1 April 2002 (age 22) 4 0 Germany VfB Stuttgart 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship
DF Daan Dierckx (2003-02-24) 24 February 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Belgium Standard Liège v.  Turkey, 3 September 2021

MF Arthur Vermeeren (2005-02-07) 7 February 2005 (age 19) 3 0 Germany RB Leipzig v.  Hungary, 15 October 2024
MF Cisse Sandra (2003-12-16) 16 December 2003 (age 21) 3 0 Netherlands Willem II v.  Hungary, 15 October 2024
MF Christiaan Ravych (2002-07-30) 30 July 2002 (age 22) 0 0 Belgium Cercle Brugge v.  Hungary, 15 October 2024
MF Chris Lokesa (2004-11-07) 7 November 2004 (age 20) 1 0 Netherlands RKC Waalwijk v.  Kazakhstan, 10 September 2024
MF Stanis Idumbo Muzambo (2005-06-29) 29 June 2005 (age 19) 1 0 Spain Sevilla v.  Morocco, 4 June 2024
MF Pierre Dwomoh (2004-06-21) 21 June 2004 (age 20) 1 1 England Watford v.  Morocco, 4 June 2024
MF Noah Mbamba (2005-01-05) 5 January 2005 (age 19) 1 0 Germany Bayer Leverkusen v.  Spain, 26 March 2024
MF Arne Engels (2003-09-08) 8 September 2003 (age 21) 10 2 Scotland Celtic v.  Spain, 26 March 2024
MF Marco Kana (2002-08-08) 8 August 2002 (age 22) 12 0 Belgium Kortrijk v.  Spain, 21 November 2023
MF Luca Oyen (2003-03-14) 14 March 2003 (age 21) 4 0 Belgium Genk v.  Spain, 21 November 2023
MF Aster Vranckx (captain) (2002-10-04) 4 October 2002 (age 22) 12 0 Germany VfL Wolfsburg v.  Hungary, 17 October 2023
MF Roméo Lavia (2004-01-06) 6 January 2004 (age 20) 1 0 England Chelsea v.  Czech Republic, 23 March 2023
MF Anouar Ait El Hadj (2002-04-20) 20 April 2002 (age 22) 4 0 Belgium Genk v.  Denmark, 29 March 2022
MF Tibo Persyn (2002-03-13) 13 March 2002 (age 22) 0 0 Netherlands FC Eindhoven v.  Turkey, 3 September 2021

FW Samuel Mbangula (2004-01-16) 16 January 2004 (age 20) 6 0 Italy Juventus v.  Hungary, 15 October 2024
FW Mika Godts (2005-06-07) 7 June 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Netherlands Ajax v.  Scotland, 11 October 2024
FW Thibo Baeten (2002-06-04) 4 June 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Netherlands Roda JC v.  Kazakhstan, 10 September 2024
FW Malick Fofana (2005-03-31) 31 March 2005 (age 19) 9 0 France Lyon v.  Kazakhstan, 10 September 2024
FW Julien Duranville (2006-05-05) 5 May 2006 (age 18) 1 0 Germany Borussia Dortmund v.  Spain, 26 March 2024
FW Anthony Descotte (2003-08-03) 3 August 2003 (age 21) 4 0 Netherlands Utrecht 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship
FW Ken Nkuba (2002-02-21) 21 February 2002 (age 22) 4 0 Belgium Genk v.  Czech Republic, 23 March 2023
FW Johan Bakayoko (2003-04-20) 20 April 2003 (age 21) 3 0 Netherlands PSV Eindhoven v.  Czech Republic, 23 March 2023
FW Jérémy Doku (2002-05-27) 27 May 2002 (age 22) 6 1 England Manchester City v.  France, 26 September 2022

Statistics

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Most capped players

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  Highlighted names denote a player still playing or available for selection.
# Name Career Caps Goals
1 Jean-François Gillet 1996–2002 36 0
2 Thomas Chatelle 1999–2003 28 4
Maarten Martens 2003–2007 28 7
4 Faris Haroun 2004–2008 24 4
5 Siebe Schrijvers 2016–2019 23 4
Hugo Siquet 2021–2024 23 0
7 Tom De Mul 2004–2008 21 4
Wout Faes 2017–2020 21 0
Gunter Van Handenhoven 1997–1999 21 1
10 Jonathan Blondel 2002–2007 20 4
Éric Deflandre 1992–1995 20 1

Last updated: 22 June 2019
Source: Belgian Football Federation

Top goalscorers

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  Highlighted names denote a player still playing or available for selection.
# Player Career Goals Caps Average
1 Loïs Openda 2019–2023 13 18 0.72
2 Kevin Vandenbergh 2003–2005 12 14 0.86
3 Cédric Roussel 1997–1999 10 12 0.83
4 Wesley Sonck 1997–1999 8 11 0.73
5 Michy Batshuayi 2012–2014 7 13 0.54
Landry Dimata 2016–2018 7 12 0.58
Maarten Martens 2003–2007 7 28 0.25
Ronny Martens 1978–1984 7 14 0.5
Sven Vermant 1993–1995 7 8 0.88
Jeanvion Yulu-Matondo 2005–2008 7 17 0.41

Last updated: 20 March 2019
Source: Belgian Football Federation

Honours

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Winners (1): 2007–09
Runners-up (1): 2005–06

See also

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References

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