Red Devils face a decisive test in the Nations League

The Red Devils, under the guidance of Mark Van Bommel, face Turkey this Thursday and Italy on Sunday, two decisive matches that will determine their fate in the Nations League, with only six points in the standings and several qualification scenarios still possible.

Sports Football: Belgium is approaching a crucial turning point in its European campaign.

Decisive matches in Turkey and Italy

Discover, this Thursday and this Sunday, the Red Devils will play the two final group matches in the Nations League, respectively in Turkey and against Italy.

These two matches are highly decisive for survival in League A.

After two wins and two losses, including both defeats against France, Belgium have six points, placing the Red Devils in third place in the group.

With two wins in four matches and two defeats to France, Belgium approach these fixtures with a multitude of possible scenarios.

Qualification scenarios and stakes

The desired scenario envisions two wins, which would place Belgium in the quarter‑finals alongside France, provided Belgium's result in Turkey is better than Italy's against the Blues.

In case of a points tie, Belgium and Italy will face each other on Sunday in a decisive encounter.

If the Red Devils win, they will take second place in the group, synonymous with qualification for the quarters.

Conversely, an Italian win in France combined with a Belgian loss in Turkey would guarantee qualification for France and Italy, who would total ten points against six for Belgium.

Mathematically, this would eliminate Mark Van Bommel and his men, rendering Sunday’s match meaningless.

It should be noted that Turkey, even with two wins against the Red Devils and against France, can no longer qualify.

However, even a single point could benefit the Red Devils, because even in the event of an Italian win in France, Belgium would still retain its chances of taking second place.

Thus, Sunday’s match will be decisive in determining who reaches the quarter‑finals.

Thursday’s round will determine who will approach the Belgium‑Italy duel from a position of strength.

If the Red Devils achieve a better result in Turkey than Italy does against France, they will overtake the Squadra in the standings before the match.

In case of a points tie, the head‑to‑head result is the first tiebreaker.

The fact that Belgium has already managed to prevail in Italy is an asset.

Modified rules and the coach's choices

The rule regarding staying in the Nations League elite has been changed.

Previously, teams finishing third in Division A had to play a playoff against the second‑placed teams from Division B, and the fourth‑placed teams were automatically relegated.

That is no longer the case.

Only the two worst third‑placed teams and the two best second‑placed teams from the lower tier will contest a playoff next March to decide staying in Division A.

With six points, Belgium is currently the best third‑placed team, which spares them from a playoff for now.

Germany has five points, while Wales and Croatia sit in third place in their group with three points.

From this perspective, the situation is therefore rather favourable for the Belgians.

Mark Van Bommel is making bold choices: two new players have been called up and one player has refused his selection.

Simon Mignolet said: “I’m not going to force a dual‑national to choose Belgium.”

La Libre presented this project for dual‑nationals, highlighting the new structure and high‑level mindset outlined by Simon Mignolet and Pierre Locht.