(Reuters) – Belgium’s national team coach Domenico Tedesco has recently signed a two-year contract extension that will see him lead the team to the 2026 World Cup, as confirmed by officials on Thursday. Despite this positive development, the team will be missing key player Kevin De Bruyne for upcoming friendlies against Ireland and England due to a minor groin injury.
Tedesco took over the coaching role from Roberto Martinez after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and under his leadership, Belgium has had a successful run of 10 undefeated games. However, a dispute with their regular starting goalkeeper has led to Thibaut Courtois being excluded from the squad during Tedesco’s time in charge.
During the qualification campaign for Euro 2024, Tedesco guided Belgium to a dominant performance as they finished atop their group with an impressive 20 out of 24 points. The team’s achievements under Tedesco’s leadership have garnered praise and led to his contract extension.
Manchester City’s star midfielder De Bruyne has been omitted from the team’s latest squad as a precautionary measure due to the groin issue. Tedesco expressed concern about the player’s condition, stating, “It is now a problem on the groin that he struggled with in the last few matches.” The decision to rest De Bruyne was made in consultation with the player and the club, prioritizing his recovery for the upcoming European Championship.
The Belgium team is set to face Ireland in Dublin on March 23, followed by a highly anticipated match against England at Wembley three days later. De Bruyne’s absence will be felt, but Tedesco remains confident in the squad’s abilities to deliver strong performances in his absence.
The Belgium squad for the upcoming friendlies includes a mix of experienced players and promising young talents. The goalkeepers selected are Arnaud Bodart, Koen Casteels, Thomas Kaminski, and Matz Sels, while defenders such as Timothy Castagne, Thomas Meunier, and Jan Vertonghen will be crucial in the team’s defensive setup.
Midfield options for Tedesco include Youri Tielemans, Dodi Lukebakio, and Amadou Onana, among others, who will be tasked with controlling the game and creating scoring opportunities. The forward line features prolific goalscorers like Romelu Lukaku and Michy Batshuayi, who will be expected to lead the team’s attacking efforts.
With Tedesco’s contract extension and a talented squad at his disposal, Belgium aims to continue their impressive form and build towards success in major tournaments like the World Cup and the European Championship. The coach’s strategic approach and the players’ commitment will be key in achieving their goals on the international stage.
(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Ken Ferris)
