<P> Belgium have appeared in the finals tournament of the FIFA World Cup on 13 occasions, the first being at the first FIFA World Cup in 1930 where they finished in 11th place . The inaugural FIFA World Cup final was officiated by Belgian referee John Langenus . </P> <P> Traditionally, Belgium's greatest rival is the Netherlands . The two countries have met each other twice in the history of the FIFA World Cup, with one win for Belgium (USA 1994) and one tie (France 1998). The team that has played the most against Belgium in the finals is the continuum USSR - Russia: five times, with three victories for Belgium and two for the Soviet Union . </P> <P> Belgium's best finish in the World Cup is third, at the Russia 2018 tournament . Belgium previously finished fourth in the Mexico 1986 competition . </P> <P> Belgian's first five appearances at the FIFA World Cup between 1930 and 1970 were not successful, as they failed to advance beyond the first round . After two scoreless defeats at the inaugural World Cup in 1930, Belgium scored their first two World Cup goals in 1934 against Germany, by virtue of Bernard Voorhoof . However, both in 1934 and 1938 the Red Devils went out with a single loss . In 1954 they held England at a tie (4--4) and in 1970 they achieved their first World Cup win, against El Salvador (3--0). </P>

Has belgium ever made it to the world cup final