Belgium's 'Red Devils' Finally Hit Top Gear at the World CupPhoto: Nu.cw
SportsCuraçao

Belgium's 'Red Devils' Finally Hit Top Gear at the World Cup

Source: Nu.cw·6/30/2026·Curaçao·1 min read

A columnist writing for Nu.cw reflects on the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a note of Flemish pride, highlighting a unique linguistic milestone: this is the first World Cup in which three participating nations share Dutch as an official language — Curaçao, the Netherlands, and Belgium. The writer acknowledges taking a moment of permissible chauvinism as a Belgian, celebrating the Red Devils' improving form at the tournament. Belgium's national football team, nicknamed the Red Devils, is described as finally performing at their expected high level after a slow start. The connection to Curaçao is significant, as the island nation made its historic World Cup debut, adding a Caribbean dimension to the Dutch-language representation on the global stage. The piece frames the moment as culturally notable for the Dutch-speaking world as a whole.

Key Facts
  • This is the first FIFA World Cup where three participating countries — Curaçao, the Netherlands, and Belgium — share Dutch as an official language.
  • Belgium's national football team, the Red Devils, is described as finally performing at full strength during the tournament.
  • Curaçao made its historic World Cup debut at this tournament, adding Caribbean representation to the Dutch-language group.
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