Belgium announce 26 players to take field in 2022 World Cup

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

ANKARA (AA) - The Royal Belgian Football Association on Thursday announced their 26-man squad set to play in the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The Red Devils' tournament squad includes star players like Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Manchester City attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku, and Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans.

Real Madrid winger Eden Hazard, who was named team captain, was also called up, despite his recent lack of form, but AC Milan attacker Divock Origi, another player facing a rut, was left off the squad.

Anderlecht's veteran defender Jan Vertonghen, Belgium's most-capped player with 141 appearances, made the team.

Everton's young defensive midfielder Amadou Onana and AC Milan midfielder Charles De Ketelaere are both set to experience their maiden World Cups.

Two Turkish Super Lig players, Fenerbahce striker Michy Batshuayi and Galatasaray's veteran attacker Dries Mertens, are also among the players on the squad.

Bryan Heynen, Alexis Saelemaekers, Dodi Lukebakio and Jason Denayer will be on standby until the start of the tournament, the association added.

The World Cup, hosted by the Gulf nation of Qatar, is set to start on Nov. 20 and end on Dec. 18.

Belgium’s squad:

Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge)

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Royal Antwerp), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Leander Dendoncker (Aston Villa), Wout Faes (Leicester City), Arthur Theate (Rennes), Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht)

Wingbacks: Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Timothy Castagne (Leicester City), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund), Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund)

Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Amadou Onana (Everton), Youri Tielemans (Leicester City), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid)

Forwards: Michy Batshuayi (Fenerbahce), Charles De Ketelaere (AC Milan), Jeremy Doku (Rennes), Eden Hazard (Real Madrid), Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan), Dries Mertens (Galatasaray), Lois Openda (Lens), Leandro Trossard (Brighton & Hove Albion)