Chemsedine Talbi Left Out of Club Brugge's Win Over Anderlecht

The rising Atlas Lion has left the Belgium Football Federation reeling after choosing to represent Morocco in the senior squad

Chemsedine Talbi missed Club Brugge’s 2-1 victory over Anderlecht at Jan Breydel Stadium on Sunday due to a muscle strain.

Club Brugge secured the victory with goals from Christos Tzolis and an own goal from Jan-Carlo Simić. Anderlecht’s only goal came from Simić’s header.

Talbi is expected to return to action in the upcoming match against Antwerp next week.

Talbi’s decision to snub Belgium for Morocco has rocked Belgian football. Kevin Vermeulen, Belgium’s Head of Talent, lost his job after his failed efforts to convince Talbi to stick with the Belgian national team.

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Une publication partagée par Équipe du Maroc (@equipedumaroc)

Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, called Talbi up for the national team training camp ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Niger and Tanzania last week. However, Talbi was left off the squad due to fitness issues.

Meanwhile, Morocco went on to win both games, top the group with 15 points, and secure early qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.