Belgium 2014 FIFA World Cup Squad: Player-by-Player Guide

With less than a month to go until the World Cup in Brazil finally starts, Belgium boss Marc Wilmots on Tuesday announced his preliminary squad. 

Players like Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne and Axel Witsel were already sure of their place. But Wilmots' picks contain a few surprises as well.

Furthermore, Wilmots decided to name a standby list of six players—including AS Roma's Radja Nainggolan and Eden Hazard's younger brother, Thorgan Hazard. 

With the likes of Nainggolan on the reserve list, who did Wilmots select for his preliminary squad? 

Name: Thibaut Courtois

Date of Birth: 11 May 1992

Birthplace: Bree

Position: Goalkeeper

Caps: 15

Club: Atletico Madrid

Brief Bio: In 2011, Courtois moved from Belgian side KRC Genk to Chelsea. The London-based outfit immediately loaned him out to Atletico Madrid. It's set in stone Courtois will at one point replace Petr Cech (who is aged 31) at Chelsea.

Quick-Hit Stat: This season Courtois kept a total of 20 clean sheets at Atletico Madrid.

Name: Simon Mignolet

Date of Birth: 06 March 1988

Birthplace: Sint-Truiden

Position: Goalkeeper

Caps: 14

Club: Liverpool

Brief Bio: In 2010, Mignolet moved from Belgian side Sint-Truidense VV to Sunderland. In 2013, he earned a transfer to Liverpool, where he hasn't disappointed. Even though he's Liverpool's No. 1, thanks to team-mate Thibaut Courtois, Mignolet will likely serve as the second keeper.

Quick-Hit Stat: This season Mignolet kept a total of 10 clean sheets for Liverpool.

Name: Silvio Proto

Date of Birth: 23 May 1983

Birthplace: Charleroi

Position: Goalkeeper

Caps: 13

Club: Anderlecht

Brief Bio: Proto played for La Louviere before joining Anderlecht in 2005. He spent the 2008/09 season on loan at Germinal Beerschot.

Quick-Hit Fact: Because of a serious injury, it looked like Koen Casteels would definitively be out for the World Cup. But Casteels recovered quicker than expected. Now, it's unclear who will become Belgium's third goalkeeper. 

Quick-Hit Stat: Proto scored a goal for Germinal Beerschot in 2008.

Name: Koen Casteels

Date of Birth: 25 June 1992

Birthplace: Bonheiden

Position: Goalkeeper

Caps: 0

Club: 1899 Hoffenheim

Brief Bio: Koen Casteels played for KRC Genk before joining 1899 Hoffenheim in 2011.

Quick-Hit Fact: Casteels broke his shin this April. Marc Wilmots chose to pick him for the preliminary squad because the goalkeeper's recovery seems to be going smoothly.

Quick-Hit Stat: Casteels has played 58 matches for 1899 Hoffenheim.

Name: Nicolas Lombaerts

Date of Birth: 20 March 1985

Birthplace: Brugge

Position: Centre-back

Caps: 25

Club: Zenit St. Petersburg

Brief Bio: Lombaerts moved to Zenit St. Petersburg from Belgian side Gent in 2007.

Quick-Hit Fact: Lombaerts is part of the golden generation that took part in the 2008 Olympics. Due to a heavy injury, however, Lombaerts missed the tournament.

Quick-Hit Stat: This season Lombaerts averaged nine defensive actions per match for Zenit St. Petersburg.

Name: Daniel van Buyten

Date of Birth: 07 February 1978

Birthplace: Chimay

Position: Centre-back

Caps: 77

Club: Bayern Munich

Brief Bio: Before joining Bayern Munich in 2006, Daniel van Buyten played for Sporting Charleroi, Sporting Luik, Olympique Marseille, Manchester City and HSV.

Quick-Hit Fact: Among Belgium's current squad, only Timmy Simons has made more appearances for Belgium than Van Buyten.

Quick-Hit Stat: In 77 appearances Van Buyten has scored 10 times.

Name: Thomas Vermaelen

Date of Birth: 14 November 1985

Birthplace: Kapellen

Position: Centre-back

Caps: 46

Club: Arsenal

Brief Bio: Vermaelen joined Ajax from Belgian side Germinal Beerschot in 2003. After a loan spell at RKC Waalwijk, he became on of the Amsterdam-based side's most important players. In 2009, he joined Arsenal.

Quick-Hit Fact: Together with Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, Vermaelen is one of three Belgian defenders to have captained Ajax.

Quick-Hit Stat: Due to injury and a dip in form, Vermaelen only played 14 matches for Arsenal this season.

Name: Laurent Ciman

Date of Birth: 05 August 1985

Birthplace: Farciennes

Positions: Centre-back, right-back

Caps: 8

Club: Standard Luik

Brief Bio: Ciman played for Olympic Charleroi, Sporting Charleroi, Club Brugge and KV Kortrijk before joining Standard Luik in 2010.

Quick-Hit Fact: Ciman can play in multiple positions in defence and should serve as backup to right-back Toby Alderweireld and the central defenders.

Quick-Hit Stat: In 98 appearances for Standard Luik, Ciman has scored twice.

Name: Toby Alderweireld

Date of Birth: 02 March 1989

Birthplace: Wilrijk

Positions: Left-back, centre-back

Caps: 32

Club: Atletico Madrid

Brief Bio: Alderweireld joined Ajax's famous youth academy at the age of 15. Together with Jan Vertonghen, he formed the Amsterdam-based outfit's central defence duo before moving to Atletico Madrid in 2013.

Quick-Hit Fact: While principally a central defender, Alderweireld regularly plays as a left-back for the Rode Duivels.

Quick-Hit Stat: In 32 appearances, Alderweireld has scored one goal for Belgium.

Name: Jan Vertonghen

Date of Birth: 24 April 1985

Birthplace: Sint-Niklaas

Position: Left-back, centre-back

Caps: 55

Club: Tottenham Hotspur

Brief Bio: Vertonghen joined Ajax from Belgian side Germinal Beerschot in 2006. In 2012, he joined Tottenham Hotspur.

Quick-Hit Fact: Vertonghen captained Ajax to their first league title in seven years in 2011.

Quick-Hit Stat: In 55 appearances, Vertonghen scored four times for Belgium.

Name: Anthony Vanden Borre

Date of Birth: 24 October 1987

Birthplace: Likasi

Position: Right-back

Caps: 21

Club: Anderlecht

Brief Bio: Vanden Borre started his career at Anderlecht in 2003. He played for Fiorentina, Genoa, Portsmouth and Genk before returning to Anderlecht in 2013. At the World Cup, Vanden Borre will most likely serve as a stand-in for first-choice right-back Toby Alderweireld.

Quick-Hit Stat: Vanden Borre has scored once in 21 appearances for the Rode Duivels.

Name: Vincent Kompany

Date of Birth: 10 April 1986

Birthplace: Ukkel

Position: Centre-back

Caps: 57

Club: Manchester City

Brief Bio: Before moving to Manchester City in 2008, Kompany played for RSC Anderlecht and HSV.

Quick-Hit Fact: Kompany made his debut for the Rode Duivels when he was only 17 years of age.

Quick-Hit Stat: This season Kompany created five chances for Manchester City.

Name: Axel Witsel

Date of Birth: 12 January 1989

Birthplace: Liege

Position: Defensive midfielder, centre midfielder

Caps: 45

Club: Zenit St. Petersburg

Brief Bio: Witsel started his career at Standard Liege. He joined Benfica in 2011.

Quick-Hit Fact: In 2012, Witsel joined Zenit St. Petersburg for a record fee of £32 million.

Quick-Hit Stat: This year, Axel Witsel created 27 chances for Zenit St. Petersburg.

Name: Steven Defour

Date of Birth: 15 April 1985

Birthplace: Mechelen

Position: Centre midfielder

Caps: 42

Club: FC Porto

Brief Bio: Defour played for KRC Genk and Standard Luik before joining FC Porto in 2011.

Quick-Hit Fact: Defour was selected ahead of Belgium veteran Timmy Simons.

Quick-Hit Stat: Defour has scored twice in 42 appearances for Belgium.

Name: Marouane Fellaini

Date of Birth: 22 November 1987

Birthplace: Brussels

Position: Defensive midfielder, centre midfielder, attacking midfielder

Caps: 48

Club: Manchester United

Brief Bio: Fellaini started his career at Standard Liege in 2006. In 2008, he joined Everton. In 2013, he joined Manchester United for a reported fee of £27.5 million. During the World Cup, Fellaini will be looking to spark his Manchester United career.

Quick-Hit Stat: Fellaini has scored eight times in 48 appearances for the Rode Duivels.

Name: Mousa Dembele

Date of Birth: 16 July 1987

Birthplace: Wilrijk

Position: Attacking midfielder

Caps: 54

Club: Tottenham Hotspur

Brief Bio: Dembele played for Germinal Beerschot, Willem II, AZ and Fulham before joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2012.

Quick-Hit Fact: Even though he has already made 54 appearances for the Rode Duivels, it is highly likely Dembele will have to sacrifice his spot in Belgium's line-up for Kevin de Bruyne.

Quick-Hit Stat: This season, Dembele averaged a pass accuracy of 91 percent for Tottenham Hotspur.

Name: Kevin De Bruyne

Date of Birth: 28 June 1991

Birthplace: Gent

Position: Attacking midfielder

Caps: 20

Club: Wolfsburg

Brief Bio: Kevin De Bruyne joined Chelsea in 2012. After various loan spells, he moved to Wolfsburg in December 2013.

Quick-Hit Fact: Wilmots stated to HLN that De Bruyne is one of the players who can be sure of their spot in the first XI.

Quick-Hit Stat: De Bruyne has scored four goals in 20 appearances for Belgium.

Name: Kevin Mirallas

Date of Birth: 05 October 1987

Birthplace: Luik

Position: Winger

Caps: 43

Club: Everton

Brief Bio: Mirallas played for Lille, Saint-Etienne and Olympiacos before joining Everton.

Quick-Hit Fact: Mirallas was part of the golden generation that played in the 2008 Olympics.

Quick-Hit Stat: This season Mirallas created a total of 61 chances for Everton.

Name: Nacer Chadli

Date of Birth: 02 January 1989

Birthplace: Luik

Position: Winger, attacking midfielder

Caps: 18

Club: Tottenham Hotspur

Brief Bio: Chadli played for Dutch sides AGOVV and FC Twente before joining Spurs in 2013.

Quick-Hit Fact: Before officially declaring for Belgium, Chadli played in a friendly match for Morocco.

Quick-Hit Stat: So far, Chadli has only scored one goal for Spurs.

Name: Eden Hazard

Date of Birth: 07 January 1991

Birthplace: La Louviere

Position: Winger, attacking midfielder

Caps: 43

Club: Chelsea

Brief Bio: Before moving to Chelsea in 2012, Hazard played for French side Lille.

Quick-Hit Fact: Hazard made his debut for the national team when he was only 17 years of age. Now, he'll go into the World Cup as one of Belgium's star players.

Quick-Hit Stat: This season Hazard scored 14 goals in 34 appearances for Chelsea.

Name: Dries Mertens

Date of Birth: 06 May 1987

Birthplace: Leuven

Position: Winger

Caps: 23

Club: Napoli

Brief Bio: Before moving to Napoli in 2013, Mertens spent a few years in Holland, rising from AGOVV to FC Utrecht to PSV. With Eden Hazard in the squad, it's unlikely Mertens will make it into the first XI anytime soon.

Quick-Hit Stat: This season Mertens created 48 chances for Napoli.

Name: Adnan Januzaj

Date of Birth: 05 February 1995

Birthplace: Brussels

Position: Winger, attacking midfielder

Caps: 0

Club: Manchester United

Brief Bio: Januzaj is one of the rising stars of football. This season, he broke through at Manchester United. Last month, he officially declared for the Belgium national team. Because he only recently declared for Belgium, it's still unclear whether he'll be selected for the final squad.

Quick-Hit Stat: Januzaj scored four goals in 26 appearances for Manchester United.

Name: Romelu Lukaku

Date of Birth: 13 May 1993

Birthplace: Antwerp

Position: Striker

Caps: 27

Club: Everton 

Brief Bio: Lukaku joined Chelsea from Anderlecht in 2011. After loan spells at West Bromwich Albion and Everton, his future is unclear at the moment.

Quick-Hit Fact: Lukaku will have to replace manager Marc Wilmots' first-choice striker, Christian Benteke, who is out due to injury.

Quick-Hit Stat: This season Lukaku scored 10 goals in 21 appearances for Everton.

Name: Divock Origi

Date of Birth: 18 April 1995

Birthplace: Oostende

Position: Striker

Caps: 0

Club: OSC Lille 

Brief Bio: Origi played for Racing Genk before joining Lille in 2010.

Quick-Hit Fact: Origi will serve as a stand-in for Lukaku.

Quick-Hit Stat: Origi made 20 appearances for the Belgian national youth teams.

Name: Radja Nainggolan

Date of Birth: 04 May 1988

Birthplace: Antwerp

Position: Defensive midfielder, centre midfielder

Caps: 5

Club: AS Roma

Brief Bio: Nainggolan moved from Germinal Beerschot to Italian side Piacenza at the age of 17.

Quick-Hit Fact: Having appeared only five times, Nainggolan does not seem to be in manager Marc Wilmots' first-team plans. 

Quick-Hit Stat: This season Nainggolan created a total of 20 chances for AS Roma.

Name: Sebastien Pocognoli

Date of Birth: 01 August 1987

Birthplace: Liege

Position: Left-back

Caps: 12

Club: Hannover 96

Brief Bio: Pocognoli played for Genk, AZ and Standard Liege before joining Hannover 96 in 2013. At the World Cup, Pocognoli would most likely serve as a stand-in for first-choice left-back Jan Vertonghen if selected.

Quick-Hit Stat: On average, Pocognoli won 53 percent of his duels this season at Hannover 96.

Name: Michy Batshuayi

Date of Birth: 02 October 1993

Birthplace: Brussels

Position: striker

Caps: 0

Club: Standard Luik

Brief Bio: Batshuayi made his debut for Standard Luik in 2011. So far, he has managed to score 41 goals.

Quick-Hit Fact: After Lukaku and Origi, Batshuayi would be Belgium's third striker.

Quick-Hit Stat: Batshuayi has made 10 appearances for the Belgian youth teams.

Name: Jelle van Damme

Date of Birth: 10 October 1983

Birthplace: Lokeren

Position: Left-back

Caps: 31

Club: Standard Luik

Brief Bio: Van Damme played for Germinal Beerschot, Ajax, Southampton, Werder Bremen, Anderlecht and Wolverhampton before joining Standard Luik in 2011. Should he be picked, Van Damme will serve as a stand-in to first-choice left-back Jan Vertonghen.

Quick-Hit Stat: Van Damme has scored eight goals in 62 appearance for Standard Luik.

Name: Guillaume Gillet

Date of Birth: 09 April 1984

Birthplace: Luik

Position: central midfielder, right-back

Caps: 20

Club: Anderlecht

Brief Bio: Gillet played for FC Luik, CS Vise, KAS Eupen and AA Gent before joining Anderlecht in 2008. With heavy competition in his positions, it is unlikely Gillet will be in manager Marc Wilmots' first-team plans.

Quick-Hit Stat: Guillaume Gillet has scored 40 goals in 199 appearances for Anderlecht.

Name: Thorgan Hazard

Date of Birth: 29 March 1994

Birthplace: La Louviere

Position: Attacking midfielder

Caps: 1

Club: Zulte Waregem

Brief Bio: Hazard is Chelsea's Eden Hazard's brother. Following his brother, he signed for Chelsea in 2012. He is currently on loan at Zulte Waregem.

Quick-Hit Fact: Along with Nainggolan, Pocognoli, Batshuayi and Van Damme, Thorgan Hazard is one of five players on manager Marc Wilmots' reserve list.

Quick-Hit Stat: Thorgan Hazard has made 55 appearances for the Belgian youth teams.

Statistics courtesy of Squawka.