Belgium National Football Team

Governing body Union Royale Belge des Sociétés de Football-Association Affiliated 1904 Stadium Stade Roi Baudouin (50,093 seats) Manager Roberto Martínez

• Live

• Squad
• Stats

Goalkeepers
H. Van Crombrugge	S. Mignolet	T. Courtois
M. Sels
Defenders
J. Denayer	T. Vermaelen Goals: 1	B. Mechele
E. Cobbaut	D. Boyata	T. Castagne Goals: 2
T. Alderweireld Goals: 2
Midfielders
Y. Verschaeren Goals: 1	H. Vanaken	Y. Carrasco
M. Lestienne	K. De Bruyne Goals: 2	A. Witsel
Y. Tielemans Goals: 2	D. Praet	L. Dendoncker
N. Chadli Goals: 2
Attackers
D. Mertens Goals: 2	R. Lukaku Goals: 7	T. Hazard Goals: 1
C. Benteke Goals: 1	E. Hazard Goals: 5	M. Batshuayi Goals: 4
L. Trossard	D. Origi

#	Name	Age								A
Goalkeepers
	H. Van Crombrugge	G
	S. Mignolet	31	0	0	0	0	0	7	0		0	0	0
	T. Courtois	27	810	9	9	0	0	0	0		0	0	0
	M. Sels	27	0	0	0	0	0	7	0		0	0	0
Defenders
	J. Denayer	24	113	2	1	1	0	3	0		0	0	0
	T. Vermaelen	34	439	7	5	2	2	4	1		0	1	0
	B. Mechele	26	0	1	0	1	0	5	0		0	0	0
	E. Cobbaut	21	0	0	0	0	0	1	0		0	0	0
	D. Boyata	28	180	2	2	0	0	2	0		0	0	0
	T. Castagne	23	450	5	5	0	0	2	2		2	0	0
	T. Alderweireld	30	810	9	9	0	0	0	2		0	0	0
Midfielders
	Y. Verschaeren	18	31	2	0	2	0	4	1		0	0	0
	H. Vanaken	27	90	1	1	0	0	7	0		0	0	0
	Y. Carrasco	26	163	6	1	5	0	8	0		2	0	0
	M. Lestienne	M
	K. De Bruyne	28	414	5	5	0	2	0	2		5	1	0
	A. Witsel	30	360	4	4	0	0	1	0		0	1	0
	Y. Tielemans	22	584	8	6	2	2	2	2		1	0	0
	D. Praet	25	105	3	1	2	0	7	0		1	0	0
	L. Dendoncker	24	270	3	3	0	0	3	0		0	0	0
	N. Chadli	30	208	4	2	2	1	4	2		1	0	0
Attackers
	D. Mertens	32	567	9	7	2	4	2	2		2	2	0
	R. Lukaku	26	405	5	5	0	3	1	7		3	0	0
	T. Hazard	26	512	6	6	0	3	1	1		1	0	0
	C. Benteke	28	26	2	0	2	0	9	1		0	0	0
	E. Hazard	28	603	7	7	0	1	0	5		6	0	0
	M. Batshuayi	26	378	6	4	2	2	5	4		1	1	0
	L. Trossard	24	0	0	0	0	0	1	0		0	0	0
	D. Origi	24	55	1	1	0	1	8	0		0	0	0

The Red Devils will fancy their chances in Group G among the likes of England, Panama, and Tunisia. They are undoubtedly favorites to top the group but with football's unpredictability always lurking around, their best performances will be required.

Coach's Objective

The football hemisphere was thrown into a frenzy when news of Radja Nainggolan's omission surfaced. The 30-year-old midfielder enjoyed a stellar season for AS Roma and was subsequently adjudged their best player of the season for his contributions to the side enjoying a third-place finish in Serie A and reaching the UEFA Champions League semis.

Nevertheless, according to Belgium's head coach Roberto Martinez, the decision to leave the midfielder out was purely a tactical call as contrary to suggestions that a bad air exists between the pair.

"Radja is a top player," Martinez told a news conference, acknowledging Nainggolan's prowess.

"I don't think Radja is a player to be used in a small role.

"The reason that Radja's not in the squad is purely a tactical decision," he added.

With regards to the said tactics, Belgium is expected to sail through Group G with very little trouble and so be able to make it past the quarter-final stage considering their squad depth. Anything short of that will be dubbed as an underachievement.

New Faces

Goalkeeper Koen Casteels could make his official debuts for the Belgium national team at the World Cup having been selected among the final 23-man squad.

Veterans

Vicent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen, and Moussa Dembele form part of the side's most experienced group. Marouane Fellaini and Axel Witsel have also been named in the preliminary squad list.

Absentee

The most notable omission is, of course, Radja Nainggolan. The AS Roma midfielder announced his retirement right after the list was publicised. Christian Kabasele, Christian Benteke and Jordan Lukaku were also left out.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet, Koen Casteels

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld, Dedryck Boyata, Leander Dendoncker, Vincent Kompany, Thomas Meunier, Thomas Vermaelen, Jan Vertonghen

Midfielders: Yannick Carrasco, Nacer Chadli, Kevin De Bruyne, Mousa Dembélé, Marouane Fellaini, Thorgan Hazard, Adnan Januzaj, Youri Tielemans, Axel Witsel

Forwards: Michy Batshuayi, Romelu Lukaku.