BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium national team coach Rudi Garcia Three uncapped players have been added to the squad for a training camp and friendlies in the United States ahead of the World Cup.
Garcia called up a group of 28 players on Friday for the games against the United States and Mexico, including Anderlecht midfielder Nathan de Cato, 17, Ajax winger Mika Gotts and Saint-Etienne forward Lucas Stacin.
Garcia said he chose the expanded group because many players are returning from injuries and the trip to North America is a chance to try out new faces and young players before the World Cup.
“That’s why we have three new players in the selection, three players under 21,” he said.
When asked about De Cat’s selection, Coach Garcia said, “Talent does not wait for age.”
“Eden Hazard started very early with me at Lille and Ryan Cherki started with me at Lyon from the age of 16,” he said. “And I think he has an athletic ability that you don’t see very often in Belgium.”
Belgium players Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku have returned from injury. real madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois He is missing after suffering a muscle tear in the upper part of his right foot during a Champions League match.
Garcia said Courtois would likely be out for up to six weeks.
Belgium will face the United States in Atlanta on March 28, and then face Mexico three days later in Chicago.
The World Cup begins in June.
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squad:
Goalkeepers: Senne Ramens (Manchester United), Mats Sells (Nottingham Forest), Maarten Vandevoort (RB Leitspig).
Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Zeno De Basto (Sporting Lisbon), Maxim de Kuiper (Brighton), Koni de Winter (AC Milan), Brandon Mechere (Club Brugge), Thomas Meunier (Lille), Nathan Goy (Lille), Joaquín Sais (Club Brugge), Arthur Teate (Eintracht Frankfurt).
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli), Natan de Cat (Anderlecht), Amadou Onana (Aston Villa), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Girona).
Forwards: Charles de Quetelaele (Atalanta), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Mika Gotts (Ajax), Romelu Lukaku (Napoli), Dodi Lukabakio (Benfica), Reus Openda (Juventus), Alexis Saelemakers (AC Milan), Lucas Stacin (Saint-Etienne), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal).
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
