Football · Tubize, Brussels, and Rome
Mark van Bommel names first Belgium squad for Nations League with two debutants
Belgium manager Mark van Bommel announced his squad in Tubize for four Nations League matches, calling up debutants Jari De Busser and Kyriani Sabbe while Thibaut Courtois sits out.
AI text based on reports by De Morgen, Le Soir, De Standaard and other publishers. Published . How it is made
For membersThe first 30 seconds for everyone. Synthetic voice (AI).
In brief
Appointed on 15 August 2026, Mark van Bommel named AZ goalkeeper Jari De Busser and Club Brugge defender Kyriani Sabbe to his first national team squad.
Belgium faces Italy in Rome on 25 September, France in Brussels on 28 September, Turkey in Liège on 2 October, and France in Paris on 5 October.
Thibaut Courtois paused his national team career until Euro 2028 qualification, while Amadou Onana and Jeremy Doku missed out through injury.
Roméo Lavia of Chelsea, Mika Godts of Paris Saint-Germain, Mandela Keita of Parma, and Loïs Openda of Lyon returned to the Belgian team.
- 5 OctMatch against France at Stade de France in Paris
- 12 NovMatch against Turkey in Izmir
- 15 NovHome match against Italy in Brussels
Squad selection and debutants in Tubize
Mark van Bommel announced his first squad as head coach of the Belgium men's national football team on Friday at the National Football Centre in Tubize. Appointed to the post on 15 August 2026, the Dutch manager named an expanded squad ahead of an intensive four-match Nations League schedule across eleven days. The roster features two uncapped players in AZ goalkeeper Jari De Busser and Club Brugge right-back Kyriani Sabbe. The roster also includes returning players Roméo Lavia of Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain winger Mika Godts, Parma midfielder Mandela Keita, Sunderland forward Malick Fofana, and Lyon striker Loïs Openda, who was omitted from the previous World Cup roster. Van Bommel explained the expanded squad size during his press conference in Tubize.
“That is why I called up 23 instead of the usual 20 players.”
Roster absences, injuries, and retirements
The selection incorporates adjustments due to fitness issues and international retirements across positions. Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois announced a break from the national team, choosing to bypass the Nations League with plans to return for Euro 2028 qualification. Midfielder Amadou Onana remains sidelined as he recovers from a serious knee injury sustained during the World Cup. Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku was omitted after missing a month of club action due to injury, while defender Thomas Meunier was not retained. Midfielder Axel Witsel and goalkeeper Matz Sels had previously confirmed their retirements from international football, whereas Club Brugge midfielder Hans Vanaken earned selection despite carrying a minor injury.
Four Nations League fixtures in eleven days
A compressed autumn international calendar will see Belgium contest four fixtures in eleven days starting late September. Van Bommel will make his managerial debut on 25 September in Rome against Italy. The team then plays two consecutive home fixtures, hosting France on 28 September in Brussels and Turkey on 2 October in Liège. Belgium finishes the initial block with an away match on 5 October against France at the Stade de France in Paris. The Nations League group phase concludes in mid-November with a road match against Turkey in Izmir on 12 November and a final home game against Italy in Brussels on 15 November.
Player distribution and public survey findings
The squad list blends experienced starters with emerging players across European leagues. Napoli midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester United midfielder Youri Tielemans, and Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin anchor the midfield group, while Fenerbahce forward Romelu Lukaku and Atalanta forward Charles De Ketelaere lead the attacking options alongside Besiktas forward Leandro Trossard and Benfica winger Dodi Lukebakio. Van Bommel also reunited with Keita, whom he coached during his tenure at Royal Antwerp. An RTBF public survey conducted ahead of the announcement saw readers back 22 of the 26 players from Rudi Garcia's World Cup squad, with 12 players capturing over 90% backing, led by Tielemans at 99%, Raskin at 98%, and De Cuyper at 98%.
- Youri Tielemans
- 99 %
- Nicolas Raskin
- 98 %
- Nathan Ngoy
- 98 %
- Maxim De Cuyper
- 98 %
- Senne Lammens
- 97 %
- Mike Penders
- 96 %
- Timothy Castagne
- 93 %
- Kevin De Bruyne
- 91 %
- Zeno Debast
- 90 %
- Hans Vanaken
- 82 %
Data from the article text
Ask about this text
Sources and context
- De MorgenGodts, Openda en Lavia weer bij Rode Duivels, Sabbe voor het eerst opgeroepen: dit is de eerste selectie van Mark van Bommel
- Le SoirMark van Bommel dévoile sa première sélection à la tête des Diables rouges (direct vidéo)
- De StandaardMark van Bommel roept vijf nieuwe Rode Duivels op in zijn eerste selectie als bondscoach
- RTBF85% de 'mondialistes', 12 incontournables et Lukaku en retrait : votre liste des 26 Diables Rouges pour les matches de Ligue des Nations - RTBF Actus
- Mark van Bommel
- Head coach of the Belgium men's national football team
- Jari De Busser
- AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper called up to the Belgium national team
- Kyriani Sabbe
- Club Brugge defender called up to the Belgium national team
- Thibaut Courtois
- Real Madrid goalkeeper who opted out of the Nations League campaign
- Roméo Lavia
- Chelsea midfielder recalled to the Belgium national squad
- Mika Godts
- Paris Saint-Germain winger selected in the Belgium squad
- Youri Tielemans
- Manchester United midfielder selected for Belgium
- Kevin De Bruyne
- Napoli midfielder named in the Belgium squad
- Axel Witsel
- Former Belgium international midfielder who announced his international retirement
- Loïs Openda
- Lyon forward recalled to the Belgium national team
Pollar is free and carries no ads in the text. Its members keep it going.
Support Pollar