Belgian-Macedonian Business Club

Hello, soccer enthusiasts: Get your jerseys ready and your vocal cords warmed up because June 6th is going to be a day to remember! North Macedonia is set to take on Belgium in the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers right in Skopje. This isn’t just a game; it’s a celebration of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and the beautiful bond between our two nations.

Let’s take a quick look at ⚽️ in North Macedonia and Belgium:

Historically, North Macedonia (formerly playing as Macedonia until the name change in 2019) and Belgium have met in World Cup qualification matches in 2013:

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⚽️ World Cup Qualifiers — 2014 (UEFA Group A)

1. March 22, 2013 — Skopje
   North Macedonia 0 – 2 Belgium
   Goals: Dries Mertens (26’), Eden Hazard (62’ pen.)
2. March 26, 2013 — Brussels
   Belgium 1 – 0 North Macedonia
   Goal: Eden Hazard (62’ pen.)

Belgium won both matches. North Macedonia played competitively but couldn’t break through against Belgium’s so-called “Golden Generation,” which was rising at the time (with stars like Hazard, De Bruyne, Kompany, Lukaku, Courtois).

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Other matches:

November 16, 1994 – Brussels
Belgium 1 – 1 North Macedonia
UEFA Euro 1996 Qualifier
This was their first-ever meeting, ending in a draw.

June 7, 1995 – Skopje
North Macedonia 0 – 5 Belgium
UEFA Euro 1996 Qualifier
Belgium secured a dominant away victory.

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🇧🇪⚽️ Soccer in Belgium

1️⃣ Cultural Importance

• Soccer is the most popular sport in Belgium by far.
• The Belgian national team — the “Red Devils” (Rode Duivels in Dutch / Diables Rouges in French) — has been a major source of national pride.
• Belgium’s strong club scene, especially RSC Anderlecht, Club Brugge, Standard Liège, and KRC Genk, has a dedicated fan base, regional rivalries, and deep social roots.
• Club Model: Strong focus on youth academies, talent development, player sales.

⚽️ Football Industry in Belgium:

• Direct Contribution ~€700 million/year to Belgium’s GDP (est.)
• Employment 5,000–6,000 direct jobs, more indirectly
• Domestic TV deal (Pro League) worth ~€100 million/year.
• The Jupiler Pro League is a key player development league, with scouts regularly present.

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⚽️ 🇲🇰 North Macedonia

• GDP Contribution: estimated at ~€30-40 million/year (under 0.1% of GDP).
• Employment Hundreds of direct jobs; many more indirectly via local services on matchdays.
• Club Model: Focused on local development, limited player export market, though growing.
• International Transfers: Smaller but growing — recent examples include Elif Elmas (Napoli, €16M transfer).
• Media Rights: Modest; national league games often rely on domestic public broadcasters.
• National Team Success: Qualified for Euro 2020 (first-ever) — boosted merchandise, pride, and visibility. Historic win over Germany in 2021 was a branding milestone.

✅ Soccer in North Macedonia is more of a social and community cornerstone than a major commercial industry (so far). The national team’s recent rise is helping the sport shift toward bigger economic relevance.

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Participate in 2025!

Date: June 6, 2025

Place: Toše Proeski Arena (Skopje)

Tickets: https://www.biletwise.com/en/north-macedonia-vs-belgium-world-cup-2026-european-qualifiers-tickets/

More information: https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/2044188–north-macedonia-vs-belgium/lineups/