Expectations may be high but Belgium coach Marc Wilmots believes there is no pressure on his team ahead of their Group H opener against Algeria on Tuesday.
The Belgians kick off their campaign exactly 12 years to the day from when they were eliminated by Brazil at the 2002 World Cup, the last occasion they qualified.
They are considered outside title contenders following a stellar qualifying campaign.
"Pressure, you know, it is worse if you have child who's ill and in hospital," said the 45-year-old Wilmots on Monday. "That's pressure."
"Here there is no pressure. We have made huge step forward in just a few years so let's put things in perspective," he told reporters at Belo Horizonte's Mineirao stadium.
Wilmots, a member of four World Cup squads for Belgium until 2002, was quick to brush aside the favourites tag that has followed his hugely talented team in the past months.
"The media have given us this tag, not us. I am not a coach who thinks that way," he said, also rejecting any comparisons with Belgium's golden generation that reached the 1986 World Cup last four.
"Ah yes, the golden generation," he said. "When we achieve something then we can talk about it. Now it is a generation which is hungry."
"So far we have done what we can and I have no regrets if it does not work out."
Belgium's current team are brimming with talent with players such as Vincent Kompany, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne.
"I have asked Vincent's generation to try and write a beautiful World Cup history with clear principles and I have replaced the I, I, I with the We, We, We."
Belgium also play Russia and South Korea in their group.
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SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
Another way to earn air miles
In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.
An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.
“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.
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MATCH INFO
Sheffield United 3
Fleck 19, Mousset 52, McBurnie 90
Manchester United 3
Williams 72, Greenwood 77, Rashford 79
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
