<p>Gareth Southgate has challenged England to "hunt down" Belgium in Sunday's Nations League match as his side aim to prove they can be the best in the world.</p>.<p>Belgium are FIFA's top-ranked country at present and their star-studded squad pose a serious threat to England's hopes of reaching the Nations League finals.</p>.<p>England boss Southgate can take heart from a hard-fought 2-1 win against Belgium at Wembley earlier this season when they came from behind to beat Roberto Martinez's men.</p>.<p>Now England travel to Belgium needing a win to keep their hopes of topping Group A2 alive.</p>.<p>Southgate believes it is the type of stern test that will show whether England are capable of beating top opponents on a regular basis as he builds towards next year's European Championships.</p>.<p>"They've lost two games in 28, so they're a fantastic team and they've proven that over a long period of time," Southgate told a press conference on Saturday.</p>.<p>"But our aim is to be the best team in the world and we've got to hunt these teams down.</p>.<p>"We were able to do it at Wembley. I think we saw what a top side they are there, so we know that we had to be at our very best with and without the ball to get that result.</p>.<p>"That will be the same tomorrow but we're not fearful. We've got to go into the game with a very positive mindset.</p>.<p>"We know that we can hurt teams, we've got players who can score goals, and we know we've conceded two in our last nine games so we're an improving team.</p>.<p>"We're a team that are going to get better over the next few years. The future is so exciting."</p>.<p>England, who are fourth in FIFA's world rankings, would have had their work cut out against Belgium even without the key absentees they are dealing with in defence.</p>.<p>Harry Maguire serves a one-match ban on Sunday, while Joe Gomez suffered a knee injury in training and Conor Coady had to leave the camp after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19.</p>.<p>"We can do any tactical formation but the reality is we've still lost three defenders for this game so however we do it, we're having to readjust," Southgate said.</p>.<p>"It says something when one of the biggest enjoyments of the week was hearing there were no positive tests this morning - that's about as much enjoyment as we get, so that we know at least we've got everybody available on that score!</p>.<p>"You've got to build a strong squad because heading towards next summer we just don't know who will be available, who will be in form and who will warrant those places in the team."</p>
<p>Gareth Southgate has challenged England to "hunt down" Belgium in Sunday's Nations League match as his side aim to prove they can be the best in the world.</p>.<p>Belgium are FIFA's top-ranked country at present and their star-studded squad pose a serious threat to England's hopes of reaching the Nations League finals.</p>.<p>England boss Southgate can take heart from a hard-fought 2-1 win against Belgium at Wembley earlier this season when they came from behind to beat Roberto Martinez's men.</p>.<p>Now England travel to Belgium needing a win to keep their hopes of topping Group A2 alive.</p>.<p>Southgate believes it is the type of stern test that will show whether England are capable of beating top opponents on a regular basis as he builds towards next year's European Championships.</p>.<p>"They've lost two games in 28, so they're a fantastic team and they've proven that over a long period of time," Southgate told a press conference on Saturday.</p>.<p>"But our aim is to be the best team in the world and we've got to hunt these teams down.</p>.<p>"We were able to do it at Wembley. I think we saw what a top side they are there, so we know that we had to be at our very best with and without the ball to get that result.</p>.<p>"That will be the same tomorrow but we're not fearful. We've got to go into the game with a very positive mindset.</p>.<p>"We know that we can hurt teams, we've got players who can score goals, and we know we've conceded two in our last nine games so we're an improving team.</p>.<p>"We're a team that are going to get better over the next few years. The future is so exciting."</p>.<p>England, who are fourth in FIFA's world rankings, would have had their work cut out against Belgium even without the key absentees they are dealing with in defence.</p>.<p>Harry Maguire serves a one-match ban on Sunday, while Joe Gomez suffered a knee injury in training and Conor Coady had to leave the camp after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19.</p>.<p>"We can do any tactical formation but the reality is we've still lost three defenders for this game so however we do it, we're having to readjust," Southgate said.</p>.<p>"It says something when one of the biggest enjoyments of the week was hearing there were no positive tests this morning - that's about as much enjoyment as we get, so that we know at least we've got everybody available on that score!</p>.<p>"You've got to build a strong squad because heading towards next summer we just don't know who will be available, who will be in form and who will warrant those places in the team."</p>