Road to Qatar: how Belgium qualified for World Cup 2022

A look at how Robert Martinez's side secured their place at this year's finals

epa09094960 Romelu Lukaku of Belgium (R) celebrates with his team-mates after scoring the 3-1 goal during the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualification match between Belgium and Wales in Leuven, Belgium, 24 March 2021. EPA/STEPHANIE LECOCQ

HOW BELGIUM QUALIFIED FOR WORLD CUP 2022: (Group E) March 24, 2021. Belgium 3 (De Bruyne 22', T Hazard 28', Lukaku pen 73') Wales 1 (Wilson 10'): The world's No 1-ranked side recovered from falling a goal down to start their campaign with a win, with Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne among the scorers. Belgium manager Roberto Martinez said: "We knew it was going to be a tough game and it became even harder in the moment we conceded the first goal. I'm pleased with the style of the performance." EPA

Gareth Cox

Jun 24, 2022

The No 1-ranked team in Europe eased their way through qualifying for the Qatar World Cup as Belgium look to improve on their efforts of 2018.

(FILES) In this file photo taken on November 13, 2021 France's forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring a goal during the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualification football match between France and Kazakhstan at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. - Want-away striker Kylian Mbappe said December 28, 2021, he would finish the current season with Paris Saint-Germain, at which time he becomes a free agent. The brilliant 23-year-old striker was asked if he would be joining Real Madrid any time soon in an interview with CNN, and he had a sharp response. "Not in January," said Mbappe, who Madrid tried to buy in July with an audacious bid of 180 million euros ($209 million). (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Road to Qatar: how France qualified for World Cup 2022 - in pictures

Roberto Martinez's team – who finished third at the last World Cup in Russia – sealed top spot in Group E, ending up five points clear of second-placed Wales and unbeaten from eight games, winning six of them.

Romelu Lukaku topped the scoring charts for the Red Devils, with the big striker finding the net five times – he now has 68 goals in 102 appearances for his country.

For the finals in Qatar, Belgium were drawn in Group F, alongside Canada, Morocco and Croatia.

In the gallery above, you can see how Belgium qualified for the finals that kick-off on November 20. To view the next image, click on the arrows or just swipe if on a mobile device.

Belgium's fixtures in Qatar

November 23 Belgium v Canada – Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, (11pm)

November 27 Belgium v Morocco – Al Thumama Stadium (5pm)

December 1 Croatia v Belgium – Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium (7pm)

Updated: September 28, 2022, 8:39 AM