In the run-up to the World Cup quarterfinal, Belgium is buzzing with excitement, a sentiment palpably reflected in its commercial culture. From Red Devil-themed Jupiler beer cans to football-shaped Leonidas chocolates, and sticker collectibles at Delhaize supermarkets, the country is united in support of its national teams. Even the skies are not left out of this football frenzy.

Brussels Airlines, the nation’s flag carrier, has made a cheeky move by sending its Trident aircraft—adorned with the colors and emblems of Belgium's national football teams—to Spanish cities like Madrid and Barcelona, just days before the crucial match against Spain. The aircraft's design is not just any paint job: it features a trident symbolizing the men's team, the Red Devils, and flames representing the women's team, the Red Flames.

When queried about this bold gesture, Brussels Airlines kept the comments light, stating via email, "We did not provide any comments, as we think the joke speaks for itself :)."

The airline explained that the special design aims to spotlight both the men's and women's teams equally. "It's high time that the women's team gets as much attention as the men's team," a representative from Brussels Airlines said, emphasizing the importance of equality in sports.

Not to be outdone, Spain’s own national carrier, Iberia, has also showcased its football pride. Iberia’s aircraft, which recently transported the Spanish national football team across the Atlantic, features an image of the squad accompanied by the slogan: "A team takes off. A country flies."

This aerial banter between Belgium and Spain highlights not just a rivalry on the football field but also a friendly competition in the skies, symbolizing the passion and pride that the World Cup brings to nations worldwide. As both countries prepare for their upcoming encounter, the excitement is not just limited to the ground; it's also taking flight in a very literal sense.