Belgium’s manager, Domenico Tedesco, has unveiled the squad for the upcoming Nations League matches, featuring a mix of experienced players and fresh faces. The most notable return is Kevin De Bruyne, who had sparked speculation about his international future after expressing concerns about the demands of playing for both Manchester City and Belgium.
Tedesco has made it clear that De Bruyne remains a crucial part of his plans, highlighting the importance of his leadership in guiding the younger generation of players. While several veterans like Yannick Carrasco, Leonardo Trossard, and Axel Witsel have been omitted, Tedesco emphasized that this is a chance to assess the potential of newer players and doesn’t necessarily mean a permanent departure for these established figures.
However, one notable absentee is Romelu Lukaku. Following his transfer to Napoli, the forward has requested time off to focus on regaining full fitness and is expected to rejoin the national team later in the year.
In another significant development, 18-year-old Julien Duranville from Borussia Dortmund receives his first international call-up. Meanwhile, veteran defender Jan Vertonghen has retired from international football, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has opted out of playing under Tedesco.
Belgium’s Nations League campaign begins on September 6th against Israel, a match relocated from Brussels to Debrecen, Hungary, due to security concerns. They face France three days later in Lyon. Tedesco’s strategy of blending youth and experience aims to build a strong foundation for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, starting in the latter half of 2024.
