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
T. Kaminski	S. Mignolet	K. Casteels
T. Courtois	M. Sels
Defenders
J. Denayer	J. Vertonghen	T. Meunier Goals: 1, Assists: 2
A. Theate	L. Dendoncker	D. Boyata
W. Faes	T. Castagne	T. Alderweireld
Midfielders
H. Vanaken	Y. Carrasco	T. Hazard Goals: 2
K. De Bruyne Goals: 1, Assists: 2	A. Witsel	Y. Tielemans
D. Praet	A. Saelemaekers	C. De Ketelaere
A. Lokonga
Attackers
D. Mertens	C. Benteke	E. Hazard Assists: 1
L. Trossard	D. Origi	D. Vanzeir

#	Name	Age								A
Goalkeepers
	T. Kaminski	29	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
12	S. Mignolet	33	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	0
	K. Casteels	29
1	T. Courtois	29	450	5	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
13	M. Sels	29	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	0	0	0	0
Defenders
18	J. Denayer	26	180	2	2	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0
5	J. Vertonghen	34	346	4	4	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0
15	T. Meunier	30	328	5	3	2	1	2	1	2	0	0	0
	A. Theate	21
19	L. Dendoncker	26	149	3	2	1	1	3	0	0	0	0	0
4	D. Boyata	31	180	2	2	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0
	W. Faes	23
21	T. Castagne	26	27	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
2	T. Alderweireld	32	360	4	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
Midfielders
17	H. Vanaken	29	0	1	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
11	Y. Carrasco	28	139	3	2	1	2	3	0	0	0	0	0
16	T. Hazard	28	360	4	4	0	2	0	2	0	1	0	0
7	K. De Bruyne	30	272	4	3	1	2	1	1	2	0	0	0
6	A. Witsel	33	301	4	3	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
8	Y. Tielemans	24	339	4	4	0	1	1	0	0	1	0	0
26	D. Praet	27	29	2	0	2	0	5	0	0	0	0	0
	A. Saelemaekers	22
	C. De Ketelaere	20
	A. Lokonga	22
Attackers
14	D. Mertens	34	181	4	2	2	2	3	0	0	0	0	0
20	C. Benteke	31	6	1	0	1	0	5	0	0	0	0	0
10	E. Hazard	31	226	4	2	2	1	2	0	1	0	0	0
24	L. Trossard	27	75	1	1	0	1	4	0	0	0	0	0
	D. Origi	26
	D. Vanzeir	23

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.