Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – Belgium and Senegal have confirmed their starting lineups for their World Cup round-of-32 match at Seattle Stadium.
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia has selected Charles De Ketelaere as his central forward, leaving the country’s record goalscorer Romelu Lukaku on the bench.
Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku and Leandro Trossard provide the attacking support, while Youri Tielemans captains the Red Devils.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has also made several notable decisions, with Kalidou Koulibaly, Nicolas Jackson and Lamine Camara beginning the knockout match among the substitutes.
Thibaut Courtois starts in goal for Belgium behind a defensive line of Timothy Castagne, Brandon Mechele, Arthur Theate and Maxim De Cuyper.
Tielemans and Hans Vanaken will provide the midfield balance, with De Bruyne expected to operate in a more advanced creative position.
Doku and Trossard start in the wide attacking areas alongside De Ketelaere.
The selection means Lukaku will again be available as an option from the bench, where Amadou Onana, Alexis Saelemaekers and Charles De Ketelaere’s other attacking alternatives are also available.
Belgium: Thibaut Courtois; Timothy Castagne, Brandon Mechele, Arthur Theate, Maxim De Cuyper; Youri Tielemans, Hans Vanaken; Jérémy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, Leandro Trossard; Charles De Ketelaere.
Belgium are expected to use a 4-2-3-1 formation, although their attacking players could regularly exchange positions.
Koulibaly and Jackson benched
Mory Diaw continues in goal for Senegal because first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is unavailable through injury.
Krépin Diatta and Ismail Jakobs start on the sides of the defense, with Moussa Niakhaté and Pathé Ciss completing the back line.
Idrissa Gueye captains the Lions of Teranga and starts in midfield alongside Habib Diarra and Pape Gueye.
Sadio Mané leads Senegal’s attack, with Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr completing the front three.
Senegal: Mory Diaw; Krépin Diatta, Pathé Ciss, Moussa Niakhaté, Ismail Jakobs; Habib Diarra, Idrissa Gueye, Pape Gueye; Iliman Ndiaye, Sadio Mané, Ismaïla Sarr.
Koulibaly’s absence from the starting lineup is one of the biggest surprises, with the experienced defender included among Senegal’s substitutes.
Jackson and Camara are also available from the bench if Senegal require changes in attack or midfield.
