Blondo

Almost made it into pot 3 for the final draw (IIRC ended up in pot 4 after that loss against Panama). There are a lot of points at stake against Morocco. Going home after 3 losses would be a massive blow as these are all high-yield games. A lot of ground would be lost, even compared to teams that didn't qualify for the World Cup. A win against Morocco would go a long way to make up for the points that have been lost so far. Already dropped below Saudi Arabia and in case of another loss Canada would drop out of the top 50.

No major surprises among Belgium's 26. There are valid reasons for the inclusions of fringe players like Debast, Doku and Mertens. Personally I feel it's a tournament too early for Debast and he was quite nervy last window, making mistakes in both games. Yet I don't mind if Martinez is simply bringing him for experience. The choice for Mertens isn't so much about what he can do on the pitch but rather in the dressing room. Great guy and definitely deserves one last hurrah. PS turns out Belgium's final team is younger than Brazil's one.

That's 30 players. Martinez will definitely call up fewer CBs than 8; at most 6 and Dendoncker might even be counted as one of them (Castagne and Witsel can provide cover as well). 3 goalies is plenty; the 3rd one is the least likely player to see any action so why take 4 if you don't have to (Martinez has been calling up 4 for every window since he took over in 2016 yet only Van Gaal, the madman that he is, has said he'll take 4 with him to Qatar). So far it sounds like Lukaku will be there but have to wait and see.

The general sentiment in Belgium is less optimistic. Advancing from the groups is seen as a must. If Belgium then knock out Spain or Germany in the Ro16 that would already be a success (instead of feeling empty if we lost a 2nd consecutive semi-final). Reaching the semis again would be seen as a huge success. Of course going all the way is the ultimate goal for the players. Even for Brazil it isn't exactly a given to pull off such a feat, let alone Belgium. I'd call it 3-4-2-1 as we most often use a sole striker and basically two 10s, not that it matters that much. KDB can play there or gets moved down a line. Plenty of other tweaks can be made and playing with two strikers is also a possibility (especially if Lukaku isn't available for the first game). When playing for country Lukaku definitely is at his peak, regardless of club form/fitness. Michy needs the fewest minutes per goal for country and his name is now regularly on the scoresheet at club level. Tielemans is also growing towards his peak and lately has been in good form. Trossard didn't get a mention at all but has been in superb form for club and has scored worldies for country. Hazard will prolly still start some games. Despite hiding it very well he could all of a sudden remember that he's in fact really good at kicking around a ball (like against Celtic in the CL). In case we get limp Hazard then bring on Trossard asap. Doku could very well miss out (since showing plenty of promise in the euros it's been a case of too little, too late; injuries have really hampered his progress). Martinez really likes the kid but currently his inclusion is a big ? Not only Theate but also Faes is having a good season; both should be in the 26. Personally, I'd rather see Mechele get a call-up than Boyata. There are others, not limited to defenders, who may or may not get into the final 26 that this youtuber included/excluded. Lavia might actually still be brought to gain experience. Hey-ho we'll find out very soon. Alderweireld didn't have much trouble finding a club and has been great at Antwerp. He can easily play in the middle of the back 3 and Denayer who now also has experienced playing in the desert can be slotted into any of the 3 spots. Dendoncker has been solid for Belgium's backline and Castagne is another option. Starting games with Vertonghen, Denayer and Alderweireld doesn't seem the most probable 3atb any longer. It most likely will be decided in training who gets to start. Last season Carrasco did very well but less so this season. Castagne has picked up form and T.Hazard has even done well at fullback. Saelemaekers has completed his injury rehab ahead of schedule and if both him and Meunier are ready for it I'd take both because it's such a demanding position and we have had our fair share of injury woes.

That wasn't the Moroccan side you'll face in the World Cup but one that's limited to domestic league players. Qatar have played some unusual teams, incl. losses to lil Linfield and a Croatian youth team.

A few injured absentees, especially up front with Origi and Lukaku. Doku asked to regain match fitness first with the U21s (if he's playing well by November he probably will squeeze into the final 26). Denayer will only train with the team; won't play and won't go to Qatar if he doesn't find a club soon. Debast was a surprise inclusion and has yet to make his debut. Dendoncker has been very solid and will also be considered for the backline (Witsel is also an option). Lavia most likely would have been called up if he didn't get injured (possibly Mangala and Foket too; both out inured as well); while Praet and Januzaj lack match rhythm. Lukaku is one of the nailed-on starters; the battle for who'll be behind him in the pecking order is still on. Lukebakio returns to the team after a great start this season in the BuLi.

Oddly Chelsea tabled a bid of €58M after Lavia has played only 5 games for Southampton. Bid was rejected even while Lavia is out injured for the next 4-8 weeks. Making the squad for Qatar was a longshot, despite Martinez claiming in a recent interview he and a few other uncapped talents he has worked with still had a shot, but with the injury I doubt Martinez will call him up (ruled out for the upcoming NL matches as well).

Quite a few young Belgian talents made moves this summer: Lavia (scoring against Chelsea added even more hype), CDK, Onana, Faes, Theate, Mangala, Openda, Zaroury, Vranckx, ... and Inter loaned out Vanheusden while Juve did the same for De Winter. Done deals: - Lukaku to Inter - Witsel to Atletico Madrid - Origi to Milan - Openda to Lens - Alderweireld to Antwerp - Lavia to Southampton - Mangala to Nottingham - Onana to Everton - CDK to Milan - Vranckx loaned to Milan - Zaroury to Burnley - Theate to Rennes - Faes to Leicester - Boyata to Club Brugge - Benteke to D.C. United - Mertens to Galatasaray - Januzaj to Sevilla - Dendoncker to Aston Villa (edit; transfer is official now) - Vertonghen to Anderlecht (edit) - Batshuayi to Fenerbahçe (edit) Vertonghen is currently in Brussels (might be an Anderlecht player soon; would be great as there's a lot of talent there he could help guide) and I'm expecting a few other deals to go through (Dendoncker to Aston Villa could be the next done deal => confirmed). Edit: Denayer is a free agent and can still be signed even with the window now closed in the big leagues.

KDB and Courtois also were 2 of the 3 podium places in the UEFA Men's Player of the Year award that was given out (to Benzema) after the draw. IIRC KDB said a few months ago that Benzema deserved to win it and, sorta tongue in cheek, Van Gaal added that Noa Lang had a better shot at winning the award as KDB is a midfielder (according to Van Gaal KDB was the player of the year).

According to lequipe.fr Vahid Halilhodzic is finally on his way out. Reportedly, the Moroccan FA are currently negotiating his departure. For about two years there have been rumblings. He has been sacked countless times, at least according to journos. So need an official statement from their FA on this.

That rumour had already been discredited by their FA and for the umpteenth they reaffirmed they're sticking with the manager that qualified them for Qatar2022 and seeing he did what was asked of him, i.e. extending a hand to the players that were alienated (Mazraoui for example), you wouldn't expect them to change course this late in their WC campaign. Reportedly tomorrow there's yet another meeting in which the manager's letter of resignation will be drafted. We'll see what happens but so far Moroccan journos have been right 0 out of 9,857,998 times. You never want to see players get injured. Aguerd would be a big blow as Morocco lack depth at CB. I'm guessing he'll be back in time. Tissoudali had been doing well, for club and country, but Morocco have plenty of other options.

Done deals: - Lukaku to Inter - Witsel to Atletico Madrid - Origi to Milan - Openda to Lens - Alderweireld to Antwerp - Lavia to Southampton (€14M initial fee with a buy-back clause of almost €50M or 20% sell-on clause); picked a good (development) club to get your first minutes of league football and it looks like they value his largely unproven talent. Would be a massive surprise if he gets into the squad for Qatar (even just bringing him for experience; doubt it but hopefully in future tournaments after he comes good). These seem good choices so far although we'll see when the season starts. CDK rumoured to be joining Origi and Alexis Saelemaekers in Milan. Might be a tricky move. Tielemans, Mertens, Batshuayi, Januzaj and Denayer are expected to get deals over the line this summer. Maybe a few others too, like Praet and Thorgan Hazard.

Sounds like Larin and Jutglà will soon be joined by Muriqi at Club Brugge. 10M would be a record fee for an incoming transfer at Club and after Vanheusden it would be the 2nd highest fee ever paid by any Belgian club.

And Belgium are the current Olympic and World Champions of Hockey. Sorta odd Canada is only in the picture when it's the "on ice" variant of Hockey; that one isn't even in the Olympics, prolly in the winter one which nobody watches.