The Red Devils return to the tournament for the first time since co-hosting the event with the Netherlands in 2000 but an exciting generation of talent will be no demure debutants, having already had a taste of the big time in Brazil two years ago.

Coach Marc Wilmots has an abundance of talent, led by Kevin de Bruyne, Axel Witsel, Thibaut Courtois and the mercurial Eden Hazard, who will be captain after a groin injury sidelined Vincent Kompany.

However, there is a large contingent of English-based players in the squad, who will need to be fresh after a long and taxing club season that has seen many of their players battle injury.

Fifa ranking: 2
Manager: Marc Wilmots
Squad - Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet, Jean-François Gillet. Defenders: Toby Alderweireld, Thomas Meunier, Christian Kabasele, Laurent Ciman, Jason Denayer, Thomas Vermaelen, Jordan Lukaku, Jan Vertonghen. Midfielders: Axel Witsel, Radja Nainggolan, Marouane Fellaini, Mousa Dembele, Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco, Dries Mertens. Forwards: Romelu Lukaku, Christian Benteke, Michy Batshuayi, Divock Origi.
Key player: Kevin de Bruyne. His playmaking abilities will be key to Belgium's hopes of success at the European Championship. De Bruyne is approaching 40 caps, four of which came in the World Cup Finals in Brazil two years ago. His five goals for Belgium in the Euro 2016 qualifiers, as they finished top of Group B, were equalled only by Hazard.

REUTERS