Goalkeepers

1-Geert De Vlieger (Willem II Tilburg) Born: 16.10.71
First-choice who made his debut three years ago and came to prominence when his predecessor Filip De Wilde fell from grace after a miserable Euro 2000.

23-Frederic Herpoel (Ghent) Born: 16.8.74
Never established himself as Anderlecht's No.1 prompting move to Ghent. Only cap was as a substitute in Belgium's 1999 derby with the Netherlands when he came on after 40 minutes with Belgium 2-1 up and let in four goals in a 5-5 draw.

13-Franky Vandendriessche (Excelsior Mouscron) Born: 7.4.71
An expert in stopping penalties who is waiting to win his first cap. His club are in next season's UEFA Cup.

Defenders
12-Peter Van der Heyden (Club Bruges) Born: 16.7.76
The starting left back since he joined Club Bruges in 2000. Belgian cup winner this year.

5-Nico Van Kerckhoven (Schalke 04) Born: 14.12.70
After a decade at Lierse, Van Kerckhoven went off to pastures new in Germany. Scored the opening goal against Scotland in last September's qualifier. With Belgium yet to find the right defensive balance, he could make the left-back position his own.

4-Eric Van Meir (Standard Liege) Born: 28.2.68
After five years at Lierse, Van Meir moved to Standard Liege last year, earning himself a fine for failing to lose weight despite repeated warnings. In domestic games the defender has shown a happy knack of being in the right place at the right time to score.

2-Eric Deflandre (Olympique Lyon) Born: 2.8.73
Energetic and reliable right back, though more solid than inspirational.

15-Jacky Peeters (Ghent) Born: 13.12.69
At the relatively advanced age of 32 Peeters has proved a useful fill-in defender, coming on during games against Scotland and Norway. Made his debut in the famous 5-5 draw with the Dutch in 1999.

3-Glen De Boeck (Anderlecht) Born: 22.8.71
Amazingly for a defender, De Boeck was Anderlecht's second leading scorer in 2001. Cool and efficient full-back with good positional sense and pace.

16-Daniel Van Buyten (Olympique Marseille) Born: 7.2.78
Most expensive player in Belgian history after a record $19.1 million move to Olympique Marseille in 2001.

Midfielders
17-Gaetan Englebert (Club Bruges) Born 11.6.76.
Likes to play on the right wing but can also fill in as a defensive midfielder or right back. Made his debut in a friendly against the Netherlands in 1999.

19-Bernd Thijs (Genk) Born 28.6.78
Made his debut on May 14 in a friendly against Algeria. Won the league title with Genk in 2002. Seen as a top player of the future, he is a good passer with a strong free kick.

10-Johan Walem (Standard Liege) Born: 1.2.72
Italian exile who has been coach Robert Waseige's back-up in the absence of playmaker Marc Wilmots. A busy player, spearheading incisive attacks and not afraid to shoot from distance.

8-Bart Goor (Hertha Berlin) Born: 9.4.73
Sealed Belgium's play-off place in the World Cup qualifiers by scoring against Scotland.

18-Yves Vanderhaeghe (Anderlecht) Born: 30.10.70
Established in the team thanks to his no-nonsense hard work alongside Marc Wilmots in midfield. Having recovered from cancer, just being in the squad is a major achievement.

11-Gert Verheyen (Club Bruges) Born: 20.9.72
Good moving forward, he provides a handy foil on the right of midfield to Bart Goor on the left. Scored in the World Cup play-off against the Czech Republic.

7-Marc Wilmots (Schalke 04) Born: 22.2.69
Belgium's most influential player and normally captain. Overcame an injury-plagued season to score a penalty against the Czechs in the World Cup playoff to ensure a place in the finals. Made his debut in May 1990.

21-Danny Boffin (St Truiden) Born: 10.7.65
Veteran midfielder who left French club Metz on a free transfer after criticising the directors.

6-Timmy Simons (Club Bruges) Born: 11.12.76
Rising young star called up to the national squad for the first time for the qualifier against San Marino in March 2001. Seen as a natural successor to Bruges stalwart Franky van der Elst.

14-Sven Vermant (Schalke 04) Born 4.4.73
Plays alongside Marc Wilmots and Emile Mpenza for German team Schalke 04. An attacking midfielder, he can cover the entire pitch and fill whatever role is needed.

Forwards
22-Mbo Mpenza (Excelsior Mouscron) Born: 4.12.76
After a spell at Sporting Lisbon, he came back to first division Mouscron at the end of 2001. His younger brother and Belgium's leading striker Emile misses out with a thigh injury.

20-Branko Strupar (Derby County) Born: 9.2.70
Croatian-born striker who made his name scoring crucial goals as Genk won the 1999 title before moving to English club Derby Country. An often lethal striker and former Belgian Player of the Year, he was also top scorer in Belgium in 1999. Recently returned to first-team action after a long injury lay-off.

9-Wesley Sonck (Genk) Born: 9.8.78
The promising 23-year-old blond striker was voted Belgium's Player of the Year in 2001, scoring his first international goal against San Marino in June.