Sport

Belgium World Cup 2022 squad: Who’s in and who’s out?

WISDOM K.E HAMMOND 2 years ago

Can Belgium better their third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup with their first-ever title in Qatar?

World number one between September 2018 and February 2021, Belgium remain one of the dark horses to win the 2022 World Cup, regardless of their somewhat underwhelming recent form.

The Red Devils have made 13 World Cup appearances, but have yet to lift the coveted trophy, with a third place in Russia back in 2018 their best-ever performance.

Time seems to be running out for familiar names such as Thibaut Courtois, Jan Vertonghen, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and captain Eden Hazard, but Belgium’s Golden Generation will have one last shot in Qatar.

Belgium were paired with Canada, Croatia and Morocco in the group stages and will fancy their chances of reaching the round of 16.

The best goalkeeper of the 2018 World Cup, Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois, will want to become the first shot-stopper to retain the Golden Glove.

READ: Cristiano Ronaldo: I’m fit, focused on Ghana clash

Simon Mignolet gets the nod as deputy, with Koen Casteels set to be the third goalkeeper on the plane.

Former Tottenham men Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld are the most experienced among Belgium’s defensive options, which also includes Dortmund’s Thomas Meunier and Timothy Castagne of Leicester City.

Another Foxes man, Wout Faes, makes the grade while Anderlecht wonderkid Zeno Debast could be considered a surprise inclusion.

Belgium have a plethora of talent in the midfield department.

Axel Witsel, Kevin De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans are the household names joined by Yannick Carrasco, Leandro Trossard et al.

Everton’s Amadou Onana and Dortmund’s Thorgan Hazard also get the nod, but Sevilla’s Adnan Januzaj misses out.

Romelu Lukaku is Belgium’s all-time top goalscorer with 68 and would normally have been a certainty.

The Inter man has been battling injury problems throughout the 2022-23 campaign, though, gets the nod despite being set to miss the first couple of games.

Eden Hazard will be there regardless of his form for Real Madrid, while Dries Mertens is another vastly experienced performer.

There’s plenty of fresh attacking talent coming through as well, though, with Charles De Ketelaere and Jeremy Doku all getting the green light.

EXPECTED XI Belgium World Cup 2022 squad

With the reliable Courtois in goal, Martinez could stick with a trusted backline with the experience of Faes, Alderweireld and Vertonghen.

Coming back strong after his injury at Euro 2020, Dortmund’s Meunier will play on the right, with Witsel and Tielemans in the middle and Carrasco to play on the left.

It is difficult to think beyond the conventional front three of De Bruyne in a bit of a free role from the right, Batshuayi through the middle as Lukaku continues his recovery and E. Hazard on the left.

Belgium XI (3-4-3): Courtois; Faes, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Meunier, Witsel, Tielemans, Carrasco; De Bruyne, Batshuayi, E. Hazard.