Leander Dendoncker has been handed a surprise start for Belgium against Canada in Wednesday's Group F fixture at the World Cup.

At one stage in the build-up to the competition, Dendoncker was struggling for a place in the squad due to not receiving regular game time at Aston Villa.

Furthermore, the versatile player remained as an unused substitute in the warm-up defeat to Egypt, but he returns to feature on the right-hand side of the back three which also features veterans Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen.

In the absence of Romelu Lukaku, Michy Batshuayi gets the nod over Lois Openda down the centre of the attack, while Eden Hazard will captain the side from the left flank.

Meanwhile, Alphonso Davies is able to take his place in the Canada side having shaken off an injury that he sustained back on November 5.

The Bayern Munich man will either be used on the left flank or in a two-man attack alongside Jonathan David, with Cyle Larin and Lucas Cavallini only being named among the replacements.

Belgium: Courtois; Dendoncker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Castagne, Witsel, Tielemans, Carrasco; De Bruyne, Hazard; Batshuayi

Canada: Borjan; Johnston, Miller, Vitoria, Laryea; Buchanan, Hutchinson, Eustaquio, Hoilett; Davies, David

Written by
Darren Plant