Belgium coach Marc Wilmots was rewarded for guiding the country to this year's World Cup finals with a two year extension to his present contract, the Belgian football federation announced on Tuesday.

The 45-year-old -- who as a player went to four World Cup finals scoring five goals -- has won widespread praise for his stewardship of the team in not only reaching their first World Cup finals since 2002 but turning them into a side considered dark horses for the trophy.

Belgium, whose best performance in a World Cup was reaching the 1986 semi-finals, where they lost to eventual champions the Diego Maradona-inspired Argentinians, have been drawn in Group H along with Algeria, Russia and South Korea.

"I am eager to continue this wonderful story with my squad, my staff and the supporters," tweeted Wilmots on his personal Twitter account.

Wilmots, who enjoyed a brief political career after retiring as a player -- being elected to the Belgian Senate in 2003 -- said that he wanted to continue to play the leading role in developing the talented squad.

"We have made great progress the past few years, both on the pitch and off it," he told the Belgian Federation website.

"I am enthusiastic about being able to continue along with my coaching staff to bring along the squad.

"I feel great pride in being given the chance to extend my time in charge of the national team."