‘We’ll go there to try to win the World Cup,’ says Belgium Eden Hazard.

There may never be another Belgian World Cup team this loaded with star power – or lacking in confidence – with team captain Eden Hazard capturing both qualities going into Russia 2018.

“We’ll go there to try to win the World Cup,” the 27-year-old Chelsea midfielder boldly told CNN Sport in an exclusive interview. “To go and give 100%, that’s what we have to do.

“In football you never know, but I feel that we have a good team, good players,” added the 2015 PFA Player of the Year. “We have experience now on the team.

“A lot of players they are playing in England, so we (have known) each other (for) four or five years.”

Although Belgium appears unlikely to have injured Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany ready for its opening match against Panama on June 18, the team will still field exceptional players on every line.

From goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), to midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), to striker Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United) – and of course Hazard himself – Belgium is, on paper, one of the most talented teams in the tournament.

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A hazardous road ahead

Should Belgium escape its group, which also features Tunisia and England, it will like its chances to reach the World Cup semifinal for the first time since Mexico 1986.

Hazard is, however, well aware of the pitfalls that can trip talented sides in big tournaments.

After an opening loss to Italy, The Red Devils were rolling in Euro 2016, disposing of Ireland, Sweden and Hungary by a combined score of 8-0.

But they were stunned in the quarterfinals by an inspired Welsh side, losing 3-1.

The memories of that loss still linger with Belgium’s captain. “It’s not easy because all of the teams, they want to win,” Hazard said. “You give everything and you (lose); that’s football.”

Complementing Hazard and the other the A-listers in Russia will be an experienced mix of veterans, like defender Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur) and midfielder Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), along with young talent like Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad), Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea) and Hazard’s younger brother Thorgan (Borussia Monchengladbach).

Geoff Hurst, 1966 —

Did it cross the line? With the scores between England and West Germany level at 2-2 in the 1966 World Cup final, striker Geoff Hurst's shot hit the crossbar and deflected downwards. At first a goal wasn't given, but then allowed after consultation between the referee and linesman. The game ended 4-2, securing England's first and only World Cup victory.

Pele, 1970 —

Brazil's 100th World Cup goal, celebrated wildly by Pele, who jumped into the air with joy as his side took the lead in the final against Italy. The game ended 4-1 to Brazil -- their third World Cup victory.

Dutch great Johan Cruyff scored three goals in the 1974 World Cup, twice against Argentina in the second round and then against Brazil in a 2-0 win that sent Holland through to the final.

Harald Schumacher, 1982 —

An ugly moment. German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher clattered into France's Patrick Battiston, who was through on goal, knocking him unconscious at the 1982 semifinal in Spain. Schumacher was unmoved as his opponent was stretchered off the field.

Diego Maradona, 1986 —

"The Hand of God" needs little introduction. England vs. Argentina, the quarterfinal of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. A mis-hit clearance was heading into the hands of goalkeeper Peter Shilton, before a leaping Diego Maradona intercepted it with his hand, punching the ball into the net. The game ended 2-1, with Argentina going on to win the World Cup.

Roger Milla, 1990 —

One of the greatest ever World Cup celebrations. Roger Milla turned on the style at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, which saw his Cameroon team reach the quarterfinals -- the furthest an Africa team has ever gone in the competition.

Andres Escobar, 1994 —

An own-goal by Colombia's Andres Escobar had tragic consequences. Less than a week after seeing his team eliminated from the competition due to his error, Escobar was shot dead on the streets of Medellin, a murder linked to drug lords who lost huge amounts of money on the result.

A Dutch master at work ... Dennis Bergkamp stops Frank de Boer's pass dead, transferring the ball to his left foot as he twists past Argentina's Roberto Ayala. His third touch, again with his right boot, flicks it past Carlos Roa, the keeper. Three perfect touches to take the ball from a speculative punt upfield to what remains one of the ultimate moments of skill ever displayed in a World Cup.

2006, Zinedine Zidane —

A rush of blood to the head. With the 2006 World Cup final moving into extra-time, goalscorer Marco Materazzi muttered a few words to France legend Zinedine Zidane, who returned with a headbutt to the Italian's chest. In his last ever professional match, Zidane was red carded and Italy went on to win on penalties.

Luis Suarez, 2010 —

Another South American -- this time Uruguayan Luis Suarez -- another handball. This one, however, was less subtle. Suarez's hands prevented Ghana from bagging a winner in extra-time. He saw red, and Asamoah Gyan's whacked the resulting penalty against the bar. Uruguay went on to win on penalties.

Brazil vs. Germany, 2014 —

One of the biggest humiliations the World Cup has ever seen. Brazil has struggled for form throughout the tournament, which was being played on home soil for the first time in 64 years, and met an impressive German side in the semifinals. But few could have predicted what was to follow: a 7-1 demolition by the visitors, who went on to lift the World Cup trophy.

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Playing distraction-free

Controversially left out of Roberto Martinez’s squad, however, is combative Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan, who knocked in two goals in the Champions League semifinal second leg against Liverpool.

The 30-year-old firebrand, who admits to smoking cigarettes on his off days, reportedly has a difficult relationship with Martinez.

“It was clear that he was looking for a reason not to pick me,” he said on Belgian TV channel VIER.

If World Cup friendlies are anything to go by, Belgium are playing distraction-free under Martinez.

The team beat Egypt 3-0 last week, with goals from Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Fellaini, and drew 0-0 with a strong Portuguese side on June 2.

Belgium faces Costa Rica for a final friendly tuneup in Brussels Monday night.

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“I think now the target is to go there and to try to reach the final,” Hazard said. “You never know what can happen.

“We don’t want to have regrets, we want to go and we want to give everything.”