Belgium name squad for September-October international window; Charles De Ketelaere called up
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
The Red Devils squad has been released by Mark van Bommel for UEFA Nations League games.
Head coach Mark van Bommel has announced his first Belgium squad. He has retained much of the core group that represented the nation at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Van Bommel, who replaced Rudi Garcia as head coach, has selected a 28-man squad for Belgium’s upcoming Nations League fixtures in September and October. The team is scheduled to face Italy, France and Turkey between September 25 and October 5. Alongside the familiar faces from the World Cup squad, Van Bommel has introduced eight players who were not part of that tournament campaign.
However, several notable players will not be there. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has asked to be excluded from the Nations League matches. At the age of 34, he currently plays for Spanish side Real Madrid.
Additionally, Belgium will also be without Man City winger Jeremy Doku and Aston Villa star Amadou Onana. Both Premier League players are unavailable because of injuries.
Alexis Saelemaekers and experienced defender Thomas Meunier have been left out, while Axel Witsel has retired from international football. Among the new faces are uncapped goalkeepers Jari De Busser, Mike Penders and Maarten Vandevoordt, as well as 21-year-old fullback Kyriani Sabbe.
The selections mark the beginning of a new chapter under Van Bommel as Belgium prepare for a demanding Nations League schedule.
Belgium squad for September-October international window
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Goalkeepers: Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Mike Penders (Chelsea), Maarten Vandevoordt (RB Leipzig), Jari De Busser (AZ Alkmaar)
Defenders: Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Nathan Ngoy (Lille), Kyriani Sabbe, Joaquin Seys (both Club Brugge), Arthur Theate (Bologna), Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Zeno Debast (Sporting Lisbon), Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton & Hove Albion), Koni De Winter (AC Milan)
Midfielders: Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri Tielemans (Manchester United), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli), Mandela Keita (Parma), Romeo Lavia (Chelsea)
Forwards: Mika Godts (Paris Saint-Germain), Romelu Lukaku (Fenerbahce), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Diego Moreira (AC Milan), Lois Openda (Olympique Lyonnais), Leandro Trossard (Besiktas), Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Newcastle United), Malick Fofana (Sunderland)
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