For the past 15 years or so, we have seen Portugal, a nation of little more than 11 million people, be very competitive on the global stage.  They have had two consecutive “Golden Generations” — one led by Luis Figo, and the current one, spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo.

In the next few years, we may see a similar thing happen to Belgium, another nation of around 11 million.  They have a very talented group of young players based both in their home league and abroad, including two potential world beaters.

While Belgium currently sit fourth in their Euro 2012 qualifying group, the second spot looks to be up for grabs (Germany typically has first place locked down, but the two teams ahead of Belgium are Austria and a Guus Hiddink led Turkey).  It wouldn’t surprise me if this group of young players rose to the occasion and took it, although the youth of the team means anything could happen.

Let’s take a look at these players who could signal a Belgian football renaissance.

Goalkeepers

Looking at the shot-stoppers is not a particularly inspiring way to start a survey of a potential “Golden Group.”  Sunderland’s 22 year-old Simon Mignolet has been off and on.  He has 13 starts in all competitions (more at the beginning of the season because of Craig Gordon’s return) and kept 6 clean sheets.  But, in a particularly bad spell, he conceded 9 goals in three games.

Another youngish option would seem to be Borussia Monchengladbach’s Logan Bailly, but his concession record is appalling and ‘Gladbach sit last in the league (and in the Goals Against column).

Perhaps Belgium coach Georges Leekens would be wise to rely on a more experienced keeper, with no future superstar shot-stopper in sight.

Defenders

Things begin looking up in the defense category.  Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany has looked good under Roberto Mancini as a center back this season.  While it seemed that everyone knew he would eventually settle into a CB role, Kompany did spend a lot of time as a defensive midfielder.  But now Belgium will be glad they have a real talent, not just a prospect, to partner Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen for years to come.

Ajax’s Toby Alderweireld looks to have a bright future too.  Normally a center back, he can play in a variety of positions, but I have a feeling that if Belgium make it to Euro 2012, we’ll see him as a right back in the style of Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic.

Midfielders

Jan Vertonghen is another versatile Ajax player linked with moves away to larger clubs.  He is a ball-playing center back who can play as a defensive midfielder like Kompany, and for Belgium he has chiefly been a midfielder.

Everton and Premier League fans in general are already familiar with Marouane Fellaini.  Big and strong but also able to bring play forward, he is crucial in Belgium’s future bids for major tournaments.

Manchester United fans know about Steven Defour, the Standard Liege captain and creator, but unfortunately, so does the rest of Europe.  Although his foot injury slowed down a move to a big club elsewhere, with the interest he’s generating this season, he’s sure to leave (just maybe not for United).

In any case, a midfield trio of Fellaini, Vertonghen and Defour — all 22 or 23 — looks not only tough and industrious, but potentially incisive.  None of them are world class playmakers, but all of them can play a good pass.

Lastly, the 21 year-old Axel Witsel, also of Standard Liege and mostly known for causing an atrocious injury, is still young and talented enough that another good season may see the midfielder’s fortune wax again.

Forwards

This group is really where Belgium are lucky.  Fulham’s Moussa Dembele is just the start.  Though he is certainly gifted, the real prizes are Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku.

Eden Hazard is a 19 year-old attacking phenomenon at Lille.  The two time Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year could become a great, as shown by his instrumental performances in Lille’s recent success (the past two have given Lille European football, and the club currently sits in 2nd place).

Romelu Lukaku is, shockingly, 17 years old, but no one would guess it.  Already built like a man, he also scores goals like a professional.  He’s wanted by almost every club in Europe due to the devastating potential he displayed by being the Belgian League’s top scorer as a 16 year old.  He’s so young that no one is sure whether he will be a failure at the top or one of the best modern center forwards.  He needs time to develop, but if and when he does, Belgium could really raise their ambition.

If Lukaku and Hazard come together in a productive way Belgium could have a terrifying attack for a decade or more.  And, if Dembele improves, a third outlet won’t hurt either.

Final Thoughts

Many of these players, especially the attack minded ones, are very young, and very unproven at the highest level.  Those players based in the Belgian League need to move away to a tougher competition before the national team will start reaping the rewards.  But if they do so, and succeed, the future might deliver some of Belgium’s best results in a long time.

Over the past few weeks, numerous nations have bid for the rights to host the 2018 & 2002 FIFA World Cup. Since the 2018 World Cup is closer most of the news about host nation bids concerns the 2018 tournament. With 2010 in South Africa and 2014 in Brazil,  nations from UEFA, CONCACAF, Asia can bid for the 2018 tournament so the decision on the host nation for 2022 tournament will be impacted by the winning bidder for the 2018 tournament.

Officially, there have been 6 confirmed bids with a bid from CONCACAF nations coming soon. Those nations interested in hosting the ’18 & ’22 tournaments have until February 2nd to submit an official bid. In Part I, we will look at 4 of the official bids and give an outlook on their chances of winning the right to host The Great Tournament.

AUSTRALIA

The Land Down Under has successfully hosted 2 Olympic Games, 1956 Melbourne & 2000 Sydney as well as 2 FIFA U-20s World Cups in 1993 & 1981 and 2003 Rugby World Cup. Aussies are not strangers to hosting big events and with the Australian A-League in full effect, the stadiums should be up to FIFA standards with infrastructure being a non issue.

Outlook: FIFA President, Sepp Blatter recently suggested that Australia concentrate on 2022 because the 2010 & 2014 World Cups would be in the Southern Hemisphere so Australia might be the front runner in 2022.

BELGIUM & NETHERLANDS
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The bid of Belgium & Netherlands is one of the two joint bids submitted to FIFA. The two main entities of the Benelux countries may be too small to host the World Cup. Right now, between Belgium & The Netherlands there aren’t 12 stadiums with a minimum capacity of 40,000 and 1 stadium of a capacity of 80,000 as per FIFA standards for hosting a World Cup, although Belgian officials have plans to upgrade stadiums to meet the requirements.

Outlook: A miracle if they get ’18 or ’22. Especially with a European joint bid like Spain & Portugal out there.

ENGLAND

The hosts & winners of the 1966 World Cup have the passion to pull off a great World Cup.  Stadiums won’t be a problem especially since the Stanley Park project for Liverpool will probably be complete by then.  If there is a problem in securing England’s bid it may internal politics between the hierarchy of the FA & the hierarchy of the Premier League. They will have to grill whatever beef they have and come together to win over the 24 member FIFA Executive Committee.

Outlook: Easily a serious candidate, Spain/Portugal bid is their biggest competition.

PORTUGAL & SPAIN
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The Iberian peninsula threw their marbles in the circle with a joint bid for the 2018 World Cup.  The Japan/Korea World Cup of 2002 proved that dual hosts can work.  Spain & Portugal have 8 of UEFA’s 5-star stadiums (3 in Portgual, 5 in Spain). Spain hosted the 1982 World Cup and Portugal hosted the Euro 2004.  Talk is that Latin American members of FIFA’s Executive Committee would vote for Spain/Portugal because of the cultural & language similarities.

Outlook: Shocked if they don’t get 2018 Tournament. Everything is set up well for a smooth tournament.

Part II is coming to analyze the last two known official bids and a couple of expected bids from CONCACAF that will make FIFA’s decision much tougher.