Mark van Bommel Names Belgium Squad for Nations League

Mark van Bommel has named his first Belgium squad – and he’s leaned heavily on Serie A know‑how for a brutal Nations League baptism that starts away to Italy.

The new Red Devils coach, who took over from Rudi Garcia in the summer, walks straight into a Group A gauntlet featuring Italy, France and Turkiye. There are no soft openings here. Belgium kick off in Italy on September 25, host France three days later, then face Turkiye on October 2 before travelling to France on October 5. The group wraps up in Turkiye on November 12 and at home to Italy on November 15.

Familiar Territory

For Van Bommel, it’s a return to familiar territory. The former Milan midfielder, who wore the Rossoneri shirt in the 2011-12 season, has turned to the league he once called home. Six Serie A players make the cut: Milan defender Koni De Winter, Bologna signing Arthur Theate, Napoli’s marquee midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, Parma’s Mandela Keita, Atalanta forward Charles De Ketelaere and Milan winger Diego Moreira.

The thread of Italian football runs deeper. Romelu Lukaku and Lois Openda, both central to Belgium’s attacking identity, only left Serie A in recent weeks, carrying fresh memories of Italian defences into a group where every detail will matter.

Goalkeepers

Van Bommel’s list blends that experience with a new generation spread across Europe’s elite. In goal, Jari De Busser (AZ Alkmaar), Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Mike Penders (Chelsea) and Maarten Vandervoordt (RB Leipzig) will battle for the No. 1 shirt.

Defenders

At the back, Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Maxime De Cuyper (Brighton), Zeno Debast (Sporting), De Winter (Milan), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Nathan Ngoy (LOSC), Kyriani Sabbe (Club Brugge), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge) and Theate (Bologna) form a defensive pool built on versatility and ball-playing profiles.

Midfielders

Midfield carries both star power and balance. De Bruyne (Napoli) is the headline name, supported by Keita (Parma), Romeo Lavia (Chelsea), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri Tielemans (Manchester United) and Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge). That core will be asked to dictate games against three high-pressing, high-quality opponents.

Forwards

Up front, there is no shortage of firepower. De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Malick Fofana (Sunderland), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Newcastle United), Mika Godts (PSG), Lukaku (Fenerbahce), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Moreira (Milan), Openda (Lyon) and Leandro Trossard (Bestikas) give Van Bommel pace, movement and finishing in every role across the frontline.

The message is clear: Belgium are not easing into a new era. Van Bommel has picked a squad built to survive – and possibly thrive – in the toughest company Europe can offer. The real verdict arrives in September, under Italian lights, when his Serie A contingent steps back onto familiar ground with an entirely new kind of pressure.