MX23RW : Wednesday, May 15 20:29:07| >> :600:110926:110926:

Romelu Lukaku in Belgium World Cup squad, Divock Origi left out

Lukaku in Belgium World Cup squad, Origi left out
© Reuters
Injury-hit Romelu Lukaku is named in Belgium's World Cup squad, but fellow forward Divock Origi misses out on a place in the 26-player group.

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has named his 26-player squad for the upcoming World Cup, placing faith in the fitness of key forward Romelu Lukaku.

The Chelsea man, currently on loan at Inter Milan, has played just 29 minutes of football since the end of August, and he is currently sidelined by a hamstring injury.

However, the 29-year-old, who has netted 68 goals from 102 appearances for his country, has been selected, with AC Milan forward Divock Origi missing out.

The likes of Jason Denayer and Dedryck Boyata, two defenders who have been regulars under Martinez, have also been cut from the squad, with in-form Leicester City centre-back Wout Faes earning a place on the plane.

As expected, veterans Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen are named as two of the defensive options, with alternatives available in Martinez's crop of midfield players if required.

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne headlines a stacked list of players who could feature in the centre of the pitch, with Leicester's Youri Tielemans and Everton's Amadou Onana also being selected.

Kevin De Bruyne in action for Manchester City on November 2, 2022© Reuters

Leicester's Timothy Castagne, Aston Villa's Leander Dendoncker and Brighton & Hove Albion's Leandro Trossard will also represent Belgium in Qatar.

Captain Eden Hazard will hope for regular action despite his struggles at Real Madrid, with his brother Thorgan Hazard capable of playing in numerous roles.

Jeremy Doku is a surprise name in the squad, the winger having not featured in a Belgium squad since March and having made just one start for Rennes all season.

Belgium have been drawn in Group F where they will play Canada, Morocco and Croatia, starting with the former on November 23.



Belgium's 2022 World Cup squad in full

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge), Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg)

Defenders: Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Toby Alderweireld (Antwerp), Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund), Arthur Theate (Rennes), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Wout Faes (Leicester City)

Midfielders: Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Youri Tielemans (Leicester City), Leander Dendoncker (Aston Villa), Timothy Castagne (Leicester City), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Leandro Trossard (Brighton & Hove Albion), Charles De Ketelaere (AC Milan), Amadou Onana (Everton)

Attackers: Eden Hazard (Real Madrid), Dries Mertens (Galatasaray), Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan), Michy Batshuayi (Fenerbahce), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund), Jeremy Doku (Rennes), Lois Openda (Lens)

ID:499377:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4971:

Click here for more stories about Romelu Lukaku

Click here for more stories about Belgium

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Wout Faes in action for Leicester City on October 8, 2022
Read Next:
Leicester defender Faes hopeful of Belgium World Cup chance
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City37277393336088
2Arsenal37275589286186
3Liverpool372310484414379
4Aston Villa37208976562068
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs371961271611063
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle361761379572257
7Chelsea361691173611257
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd36166145256-454
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton361212125458-448
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!