HAVING played a crucial role in his country’s qualification, Nico Raskin is a regular fixture in a Belgian squad certainly not lacking in star-studded names.
Rudi Garcia's side have grand ambitions in North America having reached the semi-final stages as recently as 2018, and the midfielder is set to play an important role.
In the lead up to the start of the FIFA World Cup, we take an in-depth look at each of our representatives:
INTERNATIONAL JOURNEY
Raskin has been an ever-present for Belgium throughout the age groups in his international career.
Indeed, he was capped from Under-15 level all the way through to the country’s Under-21s outfit as he spent time domestically in the youth ranks of Standard Liege, Anderlecht and Gent.
At Under-19 level, the midfielder made nine appearances, netting in an away victory over Iceland in European Championship qualifying.
He continued to catch the eye at Under-19 level and was rewarded with his Under-21s debut in September 2021 as Belgium triumphed over Turkey away from home.
The midfielder was integral to his side’s European Championship qualifying campaign, announcing himself to the Scottish public with a goal for his country at Tannadice as Belgium ran out 2-0 winners over Scotland.
In fact, the Scottish starting lineup that evening on Tayside included Lewis Mayo, Ben Williamson, Stephen Kelly and Glenn Middleton, all of whom developed in the Gers youth ranks.
Having also netted both goals in a 2-0 away victory over Israel in a friendly, Raskin appeared in all three of his nation’s Under-21 European Championship matches in the summer of 2023.
As his importance at club level continued to grow, captaining Rangers to an Old Firm victory at Ibrox to open 2025, the 25-year-old made his senior Belgium bow in a Nations League play-off first leg against Ukraine in March of that year.
After coming off the bench in a 3-1 defeat, Raskin was handed his first start in the return leg and produced a Player of the Match display in a 3-0 triumph for his country.
From there, he became such an important piece of the Belgian outfit that he featured in all bar one of the side’s World Cup qualifying matches.
His first international goal arrived in a 6-0 rout of Kazakhstan, starting each of Belgium’s last five qualifiers as the side capped off an unbeaten campaign en route to North America.
Prior to the side travelling across the Atlantic, Raskin was on the scoresheet in his side’s final friendly on Belgian soil at the weekend in a 5-0 victory over Tunisia.
THE SEASON THAT WAS
In his third full campaign at Ibrox, Raskin chalked up a half century of appearances throughout the season.
Having racked up over 4,000 minutes on the pitch, it meant no other outfield player featured more than the Belgian international.
He developed a handy knack of popping up at set-pieces, netting vital contributions from corners against Hibernian in the Premier Sports Cup and both Dundee and Aberdeen in league action.
The 25-year-old started all six of the side’s UEFA Europa League League Phase matches, while he was an ever-present across a hectic festive period of fixtures which included an impressive individual performance in the 3-1 victory at Parkhead.
It speaks to the midfielder’s consistency in performance and durability that from the December 21 clash at Tynecastle through to the post-split clash once again away to Hearts, he played every available minute for the Gers in Scottish Premiership action.
There were several standout performances in there, too, including an all-action midfield display in the second half at the Falkirk Stadium in April which helped turned a first-half deficit into a resounding 6-3 win.
Raskin’s contribution to the side was recognised at the annual end-of-season awards when he was picked up the John Greig CBE Achievement Award, recognising outstanding commitment and dedication to the club by The Greatest Ever Ranger, John Greig CBE.
GROUP STAGE OUTLOOK
Belgium represent the favourites in a group alongside Egypt, New Zealand and Iran.
The side kick off their Group G campaign in the north-west of the U.S. when they square off against Egypt in Seattle, Washington, in six days’ time, kick-off 8pm UK.
Egypt qualified for this summer’s World Cup unbeaten, spearheaded by the indomitable Mohamed Salah and Manchester City forward, Omar Marmoush.
Raskin and his teammates will then pivot their attention to their showdown with Iran, which takes place on Monday, June 21 at 8pm UK time.
Los Angeles is the venue for the clash, and it promises to be a pivotal match in the context of the group with Iran being one of the first teams to secure qualification for this summer’s tournament.
Belgium will conclude their group stage schedule with a trip north to Vancouver, Canada, where New Zealand lie in wait.
The All Whites, as they are nicknamed, clinched the Oceania region's sole qualifying spot, with the fixture kicking off at 4am on Saturday, June 27.
BELGIUM'S GROUP G FIXTURES
Monday, June 15 - Belgium v Egypt - Seattle, Washington - Kick-off 8pm (UK time)
Sunday, June 21 - Belgium v Iran - Los Angeles, California - Kick-off 8pm (UK time)
Saturday, June 27 - New Zealand v Belgium - Vancouver, Canada - Kick-off 4am (UK time)
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