Belgium Announces 26-Player World Cup Squad Mixing Veterans and New Faces
Belgium has officially announced its 26-player roster for the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Head coach Rudi García revealed a squad that blends experienced veterans with emerging talents. Key historical figures such as Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, and Romelu Lukaku have been included, despite Lukaku's limited playing time at Napoli this season. The roster also features established stars like Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard. Notably, García introduced new faces who had not previously played for the senior national team, including goalkeeper Mike Penders, midfielder Diogo Moreira, and forward Matías Fernández-Pardo. Fernández-Pardo, a Lille prospect with Spanish and Italian nationality, recently switched his international allegiance from Spain to Belgium. Significant absences from the squad include Juventus striker Lois Openda and Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia. Belgium is drawn into Group G alongside Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand, aiming to surpass their third-place finish from the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
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