UEFA EURO 2024 has already been started in Germany. The playing 11 of the participating countries have started to take shape already. The best countries in the world are participating in this tournament. The coaches have picked the best players for their respective nation’s squads. The strength of squad is around 26 players. However, only 11 players start in a football match. It would be very difficult for the coaches to pick the best starting 11 for their team. In this article, we will take a look at Predicted Belgium Starting 11 in EURO 2024.
Belgium, the top-ranked FIFA team, is among the favorites to win the tournament, which starts on 16 June. Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco has selected a 25-man strong squad for EURO 2024 including world class players. In the past, former coach Martinez led the Red Devils to the top spot in the FIFA rankings which was an incredible feat. Belgium Euro squad has enough talent to win the coveted trophy this time. The Belgium Predicted line up is also expected to be stacked with talent.
Belgium EURO 2024 squad have one of the best players in the prime of his career – Kevin De Bruyne – and an ageing defence, this feels like the last chance for the Golden Generation to claim a trophy. Two crucial players will not feature for Belgium in this edition of EURO. Eden Hazard has announced his retirement from the game whereas Thibaut Courtois didn’t find a place in the squad. Fans are excited to know the Belgium Starting 11 for Euro 2024.
Belgium have been drawn in Group E along with Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine.
Belgium Euro 2024 Squad
Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (VfL Wolfsburg), Thomas Kaminski (Luton Town), Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest)
Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Maxim De Cuyper (Club Brugge), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Wout Faes (Leicester City), Thomas Meunier (Trabzonspor), Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Arthur Theate (Stade Rennais), Axel Witsel (Atlético Madrid)
Midfielders: Yannick Carrasco (Al Shabab), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Orel Mangala (Lyon), Amadou Onana (Everton), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Arthur Vermeeren (Atlético Madrid), Aster Vranckx (vfL Wolfsburg)
Forwards: Johan Bakayoko (PSV Eindhoven), Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Romelu Lukaku (Roma), Dodi Lukebakio (Sevilla), Lois Openda (RB Leipzig), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal).
Belgium EURO 2024 Starting 11
Belgium Starting 11 (4-2-3-1): Casteels (GK) — Castagne, Faes, Debast, Carrasco — Mangala, Onana — Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard — Lukaku.
How BELGIUM could line up in EURO 2024
Goalkeeper
Koen Casteels : Prior to the tournament, it was quite obvious that Courtois will be keeping the gloves for Belgium as he also keeps the gloves for the best club in Europe i.e. Real Madrid. However, in a sudden turn of events, he had a fallout with the new coach Domenico Tedesco and was not picked up for Euro 2024. It is being said that he is still not completely fit. In his absence, it will be Casteels of Wolfsburg who is going to be the permanent starter in Belgium Starting 11 Euro 2024.
Defenders
Jan Vertonghen : Belgium squad had one of the best center back partnership with Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderwield. However, Alderwield is no longer available. Vertonghen managed to cut out incredibly successful professional football careers at Ajax, Spurs and Belgium despite being attached at the hip. Vertonghen relies most on his brute strength and presence of mind. Vertonghen is injured at the moment but will return to Belgium Starting 11.
Toby Alderweireld : Alderweireld is the obvious choice on the right-hand side of central defence. A full international since 2009, Alderweireld has earned over 100 caps for Belgium. Toby was one of the best centre backs at his peak. He’s got pace to burn and, like a cheetah at full flight, can hunt down prey from a disadvantaged position. Alderweireld’s speed-of-light reactions are his most prized asset, which makes his damaged and vulnerable hamstring all the more problematic. He will be taking the charge of defence in Belgium World Cup 2022 lineup.
Jason Denayer/Timothy Castagne : Former Celtic defender Jason Denayer will form part of Belgium World Cup 2022 squad. Denayer had a memorable loan spell with the Hoops, forming an outstanding partnership with Virgil van Dijk that saw the club win a league and cup double. Not only has Castagne lifted the FA Cup during his first season as a Fox, but the former Atalanta full-back has also earned many individual plaudits over 2020/21, making 32 appearances in all competitions for the Football Club. Let’s see who will get a place in Belgium starting 11 EURO 2024.
Midfielders
Axel Witsel/Thorgan Hazard : Out wide the wing-backs are responsible for the side’s width in both attack and defence and these spots are usually filled by Meunier and Thorgan Hazard. Alex Witsel recently joined Atletico Madrid and we might see him starting for Belgium in Qatar. There is one other option too. The fans might see Thorgan Hazard at the left wing in Belgium Starting 11 EURO 2024.
Yannick Carrasco/Youri Tielemans : Yannick Carrasco has also played a huge role in Atletico Madrid’s title charge in La Liga last to last season. Youri Tielemans has become such a dominant midfielder that he has one of the two pivot spots and is responsible for moving the ball forward to the key playmakers. One of them will be deployed at right wing in Belgium EURO 2024 lineup.
Leander Dendoncker : Dendoncker, off late, has featured a lot more prominently in Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s plans, after a slow start to life in the Premier League. He plays as the midfield screen in the Wolves team, which also plays a back three, similar to the one Martinez has deployed throughout his reign at Belgium – and one that has little reason to change. He is expected to get a place in Belgium Starting 11 Euro 2024.
Belgium probable lineup – Leander Dendoncker
Thomas Meunier : Thomas Meunier has been used as wing-back by Roberto Martinez in recent months, and will get a spot in the starting lineup of Belgium at the World Cup. He’s been fine at defending, and Dortmund’s form dropped considerably when he was out with an injury. He looked impressive in possession, providing some decent crosses as well as helping out the attackers going forward. While he does run his ass off every minute he is on the pitch, he is better suited in the role of right-back vs at wing-back. But Martinez will play him in midfield.
Forwards
Eden Hazard : Eden Hazard’s role in the Belgium World Cup squad will be a topic for conversation. The former Chelsea player has had another year of struggles at Real Madrid, suffering from injury problems and poor form when he does make it to the pitch. The coach hopes that Hazard can return to his best level at this tournament to aid Belgium’s quest for glory. Even after a season of poor performance, his place in Belgium starting 11 is almost confirmed.
Kevin De Bruyne : De Bruyne has had himself another quality season and will have to continue his fine form if Belgium are to be glorious this winter. Although Eden Hazard will be there in the team, but De Bruyne will be the main player in Belgium World cup 2022 squad and some top performances will be needed from him if Belgium wants to reach their potential. He can use his creative skill-set to influence the game, and a link up with Lukaku will make for brilliant viewing. The Manchester City playmaker is one of best players playing at EURO 2024, who Belgium will no doubt look towards to provide them with assists.
Romelu Lukaku : Lukaku was quite terrific for Serie A champions Inter Milan with his goals. Romelu Lukaku has always been bristling with talent but going back to Chelsea was the worst decision. He has returned to Inter Milan after a terrible spell with Chelsea. With the likes of De Bruyne at his back he could well fire the Belgians all the way to winning EURO 2024. The Inter No. 9 naturally excels at making runs off the ball to be on the end of passes and crosses the Belgian side produce.
However, the star striker will not be available for the first two games of World Cup because of being unfit with a knock. In his absence, Roberto Martinez is likely to include either Dries Mertens or Michy Batshuayi in the starting line up of Belgium. Lukaku has been struggling to keep his fitness since coming back from Chelsea to Inter.
