In November 2015, the Red Devils became the eighth nation to reach first place in the FIFA World Rankings, thanks to their excellent results in qualifying for Euro 2016. In Europe, Belgium is ranked fifth in the UEFA rankings.

In the past, the Belgian team won the gold medal at the 1920 Olympics, and has subsequently participated in twelve final phases of the World Cup. Its best result is fourth place at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. In the European Championships, Belgium has done no better than a lost final in 1980 against Germany.

Eden Hazard is without doubt the emblematic player of this Belgian team, with outstanding performances since his professional debut in 2007.

In 1982, he formed the group Wham! with his friend Andrew Ridgeley. They had immediate success with their first album, "Fantastic!", which got to No. 4 in the UK. In 1984, the group conquered the United States with the famous hit, "Wake me up before you go go".

A SOLO CAREER

In 1986, George Michael embarked on a solo career. In 1987, he won his first Grammy Award, thanks to his duet with Aretha Franklin, "I Knew You Were Waiting". In the same year, his funk-based album, "Faith", marked the break-up of Wham!. George Michael sported a more assertive look, with a leather jacket and designer stubble. The single, "Faith", reached 2nd place in the British record charts. The album, which was released a few weeks later, got him to No. 1 spot. In 1988, he won a 2nd Grammy Award for his song, "I want your sex".

In 1990, his album, "Listen without prejudice, Volume 1", in a more jazz and soul style, did not however meet with the expected success, but he quickly returned to winning ways thanks to the album, "Older", which he released in 1996. "Fast Love", the single from this album, remained at number 1 in the UK for three weeks. The single, "Fast Love", from that album, stayed at No. 1 for three weeks in the UK. He then won two Best Male Artist awards: a Brit Award and a MTV Europe Music Award. In the years that followed, George Michael had many projects: a covers album, a duet with Whitney Houston, charity work, a documentary...

Between 1912 and the outbreak of World War I in 1914, there had also been an Imperial Russian team for a short time.

The Russian team made its debut in international competition at the 1994 World Cup. It later participated in the 2002 and 2014 World Cups, where it was eliminated after the first round each time. At the continental level, Russia qualified for the finals of the European Championship in 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012. It achieved its best performance in 2008, when it was only beaten in the semi-finals. Russia will host the World Cup in 2018.

Performing in a style between Pop Rock and New Wave, Indochine had success with the unforgettable singles "The adventurer", "Three nights a week" and "Alice and June".

They became one of the first French groups to fill the prestigious concert halls of Bercy, and of course of Stade de France, and also experienced major international success.

RC Lens, which belongs to a businessman called Hafiz Mammadov, is headquartered in the La Gaillette technical and sport centre. The club plays at Bollaert-Delelis stadium and its current Chairman is Gervais Martel. Antoine Kombouaré has been the coach of the professional team since 2013. RC Lens is best known for its Blood and Gold colours. Moreover, the club's logo features these colours as well as a castle, a miner's lamp, two fleur de lys, the year of the club's creation, the club's name and the RCL acronym. Emblematic players like Éric Sikora and Maryan Wisnieski have played for the club. In 1999, during a LENS Match at Stade de France, the Blood and Golds won the final of the League Cup. The previous year, the club had already won the French championship. Internationally, RCL has already won an Intertoto Cup in 2005, and was a semi-finalist in the UEFA Cup in 2000.

AN EXTRAORDINARY RISE

Hailing from the working-class neighbourhoods of Brooklyn, Jay-Z draws on his personal history for the inspiration behind his powerful and authentic lyrics. After starting out as an independent artist, in 1995 he co-founded the label Roc-A-Fella Records, through which he released his debut album Reasonable Doubt (1996), featuring collaborations with Foxy Brown, Mary J. Blige and The Notorious B.I.G., amongst others; the album is now regarded as a classic of the genre.

He went on to enjoy a string of successes with a series of major albums – Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life (1998), which sold over 8 million copies; The Blueprint (2001), which cemented his status and is regarded as one of the best albums in the history of hip-hop; and The Black Album (2003), also recognised as a classic of the genre.

Ultimately, no fewer than three albums from his discography feature in Rolling Stone magazine’s famous list of the ‘500 Greatest Albums of All Time’, showcasing his artistic signature: refined lyricism, a keen sense of storytelling and a unique ability to capture the spirit of the times.

A CAREER AT THE PEAK OF HIP-HOP

With over 100 million albums sold and numerous chart-topping projects, Jay-Z ranks among the most influential artists in the history of music. 

Having won over twenty Grammy Awards, he has established himself as an undisputed icon, respected by his peers and the general public alike.

His collaborations with some of the biggest names in the industry – from Alicia Keys to Rihanna and Beyoncé – have produced tracks that have achieved cult status and transcended generations.

AN EMPIRE BEYOND MUSIC

A bold entrepreneur, Jay-Z has successfully transformed his artistic success into a veritable empire. As founder of Roc Nation, he has expanded into music, sport, fashion and the media, whilst investing in numerous strategic sectors.

His entrepreneurial journey has led him to become the first billionaire rapper, a symbol of success and mastery of the business world within the industry

A CULTURAL AND STAGE ICON

Beyond the figures, Jay-Z is a major cultural figure whose influence extends far beyond music. Together with Beyoncé, with whom he forms one of the most powerful couples in the entertainment world, he embodies a modern vision of artistic and entrepreneurial success.

On stage, Jay-Z stands out for his charismatic presence, impressive technical mastery and a rare ability to bring crowds together around a repertoire packed with unmissable hits.

The headquarters of the Lille club, with comprehensive facilities, are located at the Domaine de Luchin. The club plays at the 50,157-seater Pierre-Mauroy stadium. The current Chairman of LOSC is Michel Seydoux. Since 2015, the Lille professional players have been trained by the former French player, Frédéric Antonetti. The club's current logo, created in 2012, consists of the words LOSC Lille, a fleur de Lys, a mastiff and a flame. The logo also sports the club's three colours, namely, white, blue and red. The Dogues have won three French championships and six French Cups, the last of which was won in a LILLE Match at Stade de France in 2011. Internationally, the club won the Intertoto Cup in 2004. The history of LOSC has been marked by several iconic Nordistes, such as Jean Baratte, André Stappe or Gérard Bourbotte. Currently, the professional team consists of renowned players such as Rio Mavuba and Marvin Martin.

JOHNNY HALLYDAY, AN ESSENTIAL ARTIST

His career as a rocker has been successful and his singles have become classics: "Que je t’aime", "Toute la musique que j’aime", "Ma gueule", "Quelque chose de Tennessee", "Laura", "Allumer le feu" and many others.

With a career spanning more than 50 years and 50 studio albums, Johnny Hallyday is one of the most famous and popular singers in France.

Love-wise, Johnny Hallyday has been married several times, to Sylvie Vartan, Nathalie Baye and Adeline Blondieau. In 1996, he married Laetitia, his current wife.

The French club, with its headquarters in the Gerland district of Lyon, was founded in 1950. OL obtained its professional status the same year. The teams, which train at the Tola Vologe centre, play in the Parc Olympique Lyonnais. The Lyon club has played in Ligue 1 since 1989 and the French businessman, Jean-Michel Aulas, has been its Chairman since 1987. Currently and since 2015, the professional team has been coached by former French player, Bruno Génésio. A lion, characteristic of the city, the words Olympique Lyonnais and the OL symbol make up the club's current logo. It has also chosen three colours, white, red and blue, to identify itself. As for its record, the Lyon club was French champion for seven consecutive years, from 2002 to 2008. It also has to its credit, among other things, the League Cup and five French Cups, of which the last two were won during a LYON Match at Stade de France. Karim Benzema, Bernard Lacombe, Raymond Domenech and Fleury Di Nallo are among the iconic players of Olympique Lyonnais.