Well I have been thinking what my real first world cup was. And I was undecided, so I will devote this articles to three of these world cups!

Mexico 86


I was 10 years old at the time of this world cup! Living in Belgium and the World Cup being played in Mexico, did have real timing issues! So I don't think that I did see one game of Belgium live!

But because of the fourth place Belgium did reach, it is printed in the collective memory of all Belgians! I have seen the video from it over and over again! Each time a new World Cup starts where Belgium was present, these memories are dug up again!

So, it is hard to tell if I did really see it! But what I do know is that at the playground of the School, we were all running around with Belgium flags!

After the group round, in which we became one of the best thirds, we faced Russia! One of the big favorites for the tittle. This was probably one of the best games Belgium did ever play at a World Cup! We won with 4-3 after extra time! Next up was Spain, which got beaten during the penalties! We than ran into Maradona and the rest is history!

When the players got home, there were celebrations everywhere. I do remember that 2 of the players where living close to us!

So, yes it was my first World Cup but not really!

Italy 90


During this world cup I reached the age of 14. So, I do have lots of memories about it!

Belgium was placed in a group with Spain, Uruguay and South Korea! The first game we won with 2-0 against South Korea! The goal that Michel de Wolf score is still printed into my memory! You can watch it here!

Uruguay was up next, and also here a goal to remember. Lei Clijsters made a great header! The resume of the game below!

This was followed by a defeat of Spain, which did put us up against England!

Well this the game that I remember the most. Not as much the game but how it ended!
David Plat scored the winning goal for England in the dying minutes of extra time! Belgium was already preparing themselves for the penalties!

We were the better team but Plat's goal how beautiful it was, was devastating! We did had a better team than during Mexico 86, with among others: Michelle Preudhomme, Eric Gerets, Lei Clijsters, Marc Degryse, Enzo Scifo, Jan Ceulemans and a young Philip Albert!

Russia 2018!


It is strange to see this popping up, isn't! And still for me this is the most important first Fifa World Cup to me!

Why?

The reason is simple! It has nothing to do that we have the best team ever but has everything to do with my 2 sons! The oldest one, will become 10 in August! So it is his first world cup and I am already looking forward to it, since the beginning of the year!

While normally I am not always at home when Belgium plays, this time it is different. I don't mind where I will be watching but my oldest son has to be with me! This world cup will be his first and he has to remember it because he did watched it with his dad! Cheering and moaning :)

The house is decorated with Belgium flags outside and inside! I do watch as many as games as possible with him! I do hope that we also will qualify for the next world cup, because then I will have another first time, but with the youngest son, who is 6 at the moment!

Cheers,

Peter