Belgian supporters are eagerly awaiting Friday’s announcement when Domenico Tedesco reveals his squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Israel and France. The international futures of Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku remain uncertain.
De Bruyne, who has earned 105 caps since his 2010 debut, hinted at reconsidering his national team commitment after the European Championship in July.
The 33-year-old Manchester City midfielder has expressed worries about potential injuries due to the demanding schedule for both club and country.
Lukaku, Belgium’s top scorer with 85 goals in 119 matches, has been in a state of uncertainty for months, awaiting news of a transfer to Napoli. The 31-year-old is among several players Chelsea aims to offload, and he’s not been training with the first team. His last appearance was during Belgium’s quarter-final exit from Euro 2024 against France on 1 July.
While Lukaku’s fitness for Belgium’s upcoming games is questionable, his long-term international future is also unclear as Tedesco looks to introduce younger talent with the next World Cup in mind, just two years away.
Following a lacklustre European Championship, Tedesco is expected to make significant changes for the matches against Israel on 6 Sept, moved from Brussels to Debrecen in Hungary, and France in Lyon three days later.
One definite absentee is goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who recently stated he would no longer play for the team under Tedesco’s management. Widely considered one of the world’s best keepers, Courtois was omitted from the Euros squad following a disagreement with Tedesco last year.
