Belgium have been unlucky despite boasting a ‘Golden Generation’ of players as they are yet to win a trophy with them. A squad comprising of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, Jan Vertonghen, Youri Tielemans and many more have jinxed at every major tournament, with their best campaign being the previous World Cup, where they finished third.
But coach Roberto Martinez and the team of Belgium itself knows they are capable of more than it, and will eye it at this year’s World Cup. However, they will be well aware of the fact that this will be their last shot at a silverware, as many of the them would have opted for retirement before the next major tournament.
Belgium World Cup Squad – The players in contention
Goalkeepers
Thibaut Courtois is Belgium’s No.1, and the reigning Champions League winner had a season to remember with Real Madrid. He will certainly want a cherry on top of the cake by going as far as he can with Belgium in the upcoming world tournament. Former Liverpool shot-stopper Simon Mignolet is likely to deputize for Courtois.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
|
Thibaut Courtois |
Real Madrid |
| Simon Mignolet |
Club Brugge |
|
Koen Casteels |
Wolfsburg |
| Matz Sels |
Starbourg |
Defenders
Former Tottenham pair Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld is Martinez’s preferred partnership for Belgium as well, with Dortmund’s Thomas Meunier and Timothy Castagne of Leicester City likely to fill in right and left full-back’s position respectively.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
|
Toby Alderweireld |
Antwerp |
| Arthur Theate |
Rennes |
|
Zeno Debast |
Anderlecht |
| Jan Vertonghen |
Anderlecht |
|
Thomas Meunier |
Dortmund |
| Timothy Castagne |
Leicester City |
|
Brandon Mechele |
Club Brugge |
| Dedryck Boyota |
Club Brugge |
|
Jason Denayer |
Shabab Al Ahli |
|
Wout Faes |
Leicester City |
| Thomas Foket |
Reims |
Midfielders
With Kevin de Bruyne in charge of the midfield, Axel Witsel and Youri Tielemans are once again likely to accompany the Man City star. Yannick Carrasco and Leonardo Trossard could further constitute a solid bench for Belgium. AC Milan’s Alexis Saelemaekers and Dortmund’s Thorgan Hazard have also displayed decent form and should be named in the final 26-man list.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
|
Axel Witsel |
Atletico Madrid |
| Kevin De Bruyne |
Manchester City |
|
Youri Tielemans |
Leicester City |
| Yannick Carrasco |
Atletico Madrid |
|
Leandro Trossard |
Brighton |
| Amadou Onana |
Everton |
|
Leander Dendoncker |
Aston Villa |
| Hans Vanaken |
Club Brugge |
|
Alexis Saelemaekers |
AC Milan |
| Thorgan Hazard |
Dortmund |
|
Dennis Praet |
Leicester City |
| Adnan Januzaj |
Sevilla |
Forwards
Romelu Lukaku has been out mostly for Inter so far this season with injury, but is expected to be fit for the World Cup. Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard, also the captain of his national side should shrug-off his struggles at club level to hit top form for Belgium. Charles De Ketelaere, Divock Origi, Dries Mertens, Michy Batshuayi should provide the depth in attack for Roberto Martinez.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
|
Lois Openda |
Lens |
| Eden Hazard |
Real Madrid |
|
Dries Mertens |
Galatasaray |
| Charles De Ketelaere |
AC Milan |
|
Michy Batshuayi |
Fenerbahce |
| Dodi Lukebakio |
Hertha |
|
Romelu Lukaku |
Inter |
| Christian Benteke |
DC United |
|
Divock Origi |
AC Milan |
| Yari Verschaeren |
Anderlecht |
|
Jeremy Doku |
Rennes |
The Probable Squad
Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet, Koen Casteels, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Thomas Meunier, Timothy Castagne, Thomas Foket, Arthur Theate, Zeno Debast, Wout Faes, Axel Witsel, Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans, Yannick Carrasco, Leandro Trossard, Leander Dendoncker, Alexis Saelemaekers, Thorgan Hazard, Dennis Praet, Eden Hazard, Dries Mertens, Romelu Lukaku, Michy Batshuayi, Divock Origi, Charles De Ketelaere
Strongest XI [3-4-3]
Courtois; Denayer, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Meunier, Witsel, Tielemans, Castagne; De Bruyne, Lukaku, E. Hazard