Belgium's so-called 'golden generation' has flattered to deceive at recent tournaments, a bronze medal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup being its best finish at any competition since it was runner-up at UEFA Euro 1980.

The Red Devils were stunned by Wales in the quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 2016, beaten by Italy at the same stage at UEFA Euro 2020 and succumbed to a group-stage exit at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

They topped their qualification group for UEFA Euro 2024 – the sixth successive campaign in which they have done so – and are now unbeaten in 40 FIFA World Cups and Euro qualifiers combined – 35 wins and five draws).

But with Thibaut Courtois left out of Domenico Tedesco's squad and Eden Hazard retiring in the aftermath of its 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign, few are tipping Belgium for success in Germany.

That does not concern Castagne, who said: "The group is a good mix of experience and youth.

"I'm not here to prove to you that we have a chance, it has to happen on the pitch.

"We don't care if the outside world see us as a favourite. The most important thing is that we believe that we can achieve something beautiful."

Prior to a ball being kicked at this year's tournament, the Opta supercomputer gave Belgium a 4.7 per cent chance of winning its first major trophy, with seven nations seen as more a likely champion.

Belgium's preparations for the Group E opener against Slovakia, meanwhile, have been affected by fitness concerns.

Defenders Jan Vertonghen and Arthur Theate have been nursing knocks, while Axel Witsel, who is also expected to be used as a centre-back, trained alone.

"I'm not worried about the fact that there are some absentees. Everyone who will play is ready, there is enough quality," Castagne added.

"We give it our all [in training], we were not extra careful because there are a lot of injured players. But of course, we won't do stupid things. There's no point in making unnecessary tackles."