Belgium announce final Euro 2024 squad which includes massive call which could backfire
Belgium have confirmed their final squad for Euro 2024, and one omission has the potential to backfire massively.
Belgium are looking to go deep in the tournament with a relatively young and fresh squad, after their golden generation of stars failed to hit the heights they did at club level.
Manager Domenico Tedesco named a provisional 25-man squad, one player short of the 26-player limit.
He has now confirmed that he will stick with those 25 players for Euro 2024 in Germany, despite the fact that two extra players trained with the squad this week.
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Arne Engels and Mandela Keita were invited to train this week, sparking speculation that one of them could be added to the final squad by Friday’s midnight deadline.
Tedesco has also stuck by his decision to snub Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
The former Chelsea star missed most of the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury last summer, but he returned to action in April and starred in Madrid's Champions League final win against Borussia Dortmund.
It has been reported that disagreements between Courtois and Tedesco led to him not being selected.
In April, Tedesco claimed that Courtois would not be fully fit to play at Euro 2024.
On his squad selection, Tedesco said: "We have decided to go to the European Championship with 25.
"It’s all about the group spirit. I didn't want to disappoint a young player. I have always been clear that we would go to Germany with 25."
There are question marks over the fitness of defenders Jan Vertonghen (groin) and Arthur Theate (ankle).
"It won't be long before Vertonghen is back. Of course it is not easy for him to be on the sidelines, but he is an important player in our selection," said Tedesco, confirming Theate would be out for a while longer.
On the goalkeeper situation, Tedesco said: "The other goalkeepers are also top goalkeepers, but it was details that ensured that [Koen] Casteels became the first goalkeeper.
Belgium squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (VfL Wolfsburg), Thomas Kaminski (Luton Town), Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest).
Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Maxim De Cuyper (Club Brugge), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Wout Faes (Leicester City), Thomas Meunier (Trabzonspor), Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Arthur Theate (Stade Rennais) Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid).
Midfielders: Yannick Carrasco (Al Shabab), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Orel Mangala (Olympique Lyonnais), Amadou Onana (Everton), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Arthur Vermeeren (Atletico Madrid), Aster Vranckx (vfL Wolfsburg).
Forwards: Johan Bakayoko (PSV Eindhoven), Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Romelu Lukaku (Roma), Dodi Lukebakio (Sevilla), Lois Openda (RB Leipzig), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal).
Topics: Belgium, Football, Thibaut Courtois, Euro 2024
Alex Brotherton