Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku have made the cut for Belgium’s squad for Euro 2024. However, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is a notable absentee.
Premier League Presence in Belgium Squad
The provisional 25-man squad boasts a strong Premier League presence. Key players include:
- Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)
- Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa)
- Amadou Onana (Everton)
- Wout Faes (Leicester)
- Timothy Castagne (Fulham)
Surprise Recall for Axel Witsel
In a surprising turn, Atletico Madrid defender Axel Witsel has been recalled to the squad. The 35-year-old had announced his international retirement last year, making his return a significant development.
Romelu Lukaku’s Inclusion
Striker Romelu Lukaku, on loan at Roma from Chelsea, is also part of the squad. Lukaku, Belgium’s record goalscorer, will bring his experience and firepower to the team.
Courtois’ Absence Explained
Thibaut Courtois, capped 102 times for Belgium, has been left out of the squad. Despite recently recovering from an ACL injury and being expected to play in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, head coach Domenico Tedesco decided against selecting him.
Tedesco emphasized the importance of picking players in good shape, stating, “I don’t want a tit-for-tat situation.”
Goalkeeper Selection
With Courtois out, Tedesco has chosen:
- Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg)
- Thomas Kaminski (Luton)
- Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest)
Tedesco mentioned that Courtois had been honest about his unavailability for the European Championships, indicating a clear and respectful communication.
Belgium’s Group E Fixtures
Belgium is set to compete in Group E alongside Romania, Ukraine, and Slovakia. Their campaign kicks off against Slovakia in Frankfurt on 17 June.
Full Belgium Squad for Euro 2024
Goalkeepers
- Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest)
- Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg)
- Thomas Kaminski (Luton)
Defenders
- Wout Faes (Leicester)
- Timothy Castagne (Fulham)
- Arthur Theate (Rennes)
- Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht)
- Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid)
- Zeno Debast (Anderlecht)
- Thomas Meunier (Trabzonspor)
- Maxim De Cuyper (Club Brugge)
Midfielders
- Aster Vranckx (Wolfsburg)
- Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa)
- Orel Mangala (Lyon)
- Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
- Arthur Vermeeren (Atletico Madrid)
- Amadou Onana (Everton)
Forwards
- Romelu Lukaku (Roma)
- Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta)
- Jeremy Doku (Manchester City)
- Lois Openda (Leipzig)
- Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)
- Johan Bakayoko (PSV Eindhoven)
- Dodi Lukebakio (Sevilla)
- Yannick Carrasco (Al-Shabab)
Belgium’s squad is a mix of seasoned veterans and fresh talents, ready to make their mark in Euro 2024. With a blend of Premier League stars and experienced internationals, Belgium aims to challenge the best in Europe.
Stay tuned for more updates on Euro 2024 and Belgium’s journey in the tournament!