Belgium have officially named their 26-man squad for this summer's World Cup, with manager Rudi Garcia aiming to surpass their historic third-place finish in 2017. Among the selected players is Eintracht Frankfurt's versatile defender Arthur Theate, the sole representative from Germany's top flight. The 25-year-old, who was an unused substitute in Belgium's last World Cup campaign, has since gained valuable experience during their Round of 16 exit at the Euros.
The squad also features several former Bundesliga stars, including Thomas Meunier, Axel Witsel, Kevin de Bruyne, Amadou Onana, and Dodi Lukebakio, all of whom have previously plied their trade in Germany. Belgium will face Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand in the group stage, setting the stage for an intriguing campaign.
Speaking of New Zealand, they too have released their World Cup squad, with former Bayern Munich youngster Sarprepet Singh set to wear the coveted number 10 jersey. The Wellington Phoenix attacker brings experience from 2. Bundesliga stints at Nürnberg, Jahn Regensburg, and Hansa Rostock, adding depth to the Kiwis' lineup.
Full Belgium Squad:
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Mike Penders (Racing Strasbourg)
Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Zeno Debast (Sporting), Maxim de Cuyper (Brighton), Koni de Winter (AC Milan), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Thomas Meunier (Lille), Nathan Ngoy (Lille), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge), Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Midfielders: Kevin de Bruyne (Napoli), Amadou Onana (Aston Villa), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Girona)
Forwards: Charles de Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Lille), Romelu Lukaku (Napoli), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Diego Moreira (Strasbourg), Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)
With a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, Belgium's squad is poised for a deep run. As the tournament approaches, fans can look forward to seeing these stars in action—and perhaps even sporting the latest kits and gear to show their support.