FIFA World Cup: Can Belgium win the Trophy

Every FIFA World Cup brings together a story of surprise and excitement guaranteed by at least one nation during the competition. The power houses of world football including Spain, Germany, Brazil and Argentina are the bookmakers favourites to capture the former known Jules Rimet trophy, but why aren't a squad filled full of talent like Beligum's being considered for candidates for the trophy?

It was reported the Belgian newspaper La Dernière Heure had calculated that when you added up all the transfer fees of the current Belgian squad, they were worth €180 million which surprisingly is the third-most expensive national team in the world behind only Brazil and Portugal. Head Coach Marc Wilmots will have selection headaches throughout the course of their time in Brazil. In goal Chelsea's on loan Goalkeepr Thibaut Courtois has become his number one choice slightly ahead of Liverpool's stopper Simon Mignolet.

The Belgian defence is surrounded by supreme talents such as Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, Arsenal’s former captain Thomas Vermaelen and Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen, who was a revelation in his first season in England and earned a place in the PFA’s Premier League Team of the Season last year after some sensational performance's for his Tottenham side. Bayern Munich's veteran defender Daniel Van Buyten will also be pushing for his chance to prove his worth on the biggest stage of them all. Also Toby Alderweireld has established himself as one of Europe's most developed full backs since his move to Atletico Madrid.

In midfield the talent grows further again. Recent Manchester United summer signing Marouane Fellaini has established himself alongside Zenit's Axel Witsel as the dominant force within this strong Belgian side. Tottenham's Moussa Dembéle and Nacer Chadli whose careers started in Holland before moves to the Premier League, have made them stars for their country. Chelsea's Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard add the flair to this star studded midfield. Is this selection of midfielders as good as any nation in the world?

Up front the Belgian's certainly ain't lacking. Aston Villa's Christian Benteke took the Premier League by storm last season with more than 20 goals in his first season in since his £6m move from Genk the year previous. Chelsea's sensational Romelu Lukaku has been a major star on the Belgian football scene since he broke onto the stage at the age of just sixteen. Described as the next Didier Drogba, Lukaku's form could prove invaluable if the Belgian's have serious ambitions of winning their first World Cup. Napoli's tricky wideman Dries Mertens' quick feet will give full backs sleepless nights with his fast feet and dribbling ability. Everton's Kevin Mirallas is another option Wilmot's has upfront.

There is no doubting the Belgian's talent and with a great man managing coach and a squad full of stars, it's really hard to see why the Belgian's shouldn't be considered as serious contenders for the golden prize next summer in Brazil. 

By Shane Burns.