Mark van Bommel's Belgium Squad Faces Tough Start in Nations League

Mark van Bommel did not ask for a gentle introduction to life as Belgium coach. He is not getting one.

The former Milan midfielder has named his first Red Devils squad for the UEFA Nations League, and it drops him straight into a heavyweight Group A with Italy, France and Turkiye. No warm‑up lap. Just a cold plunge into the deep end.

Belgium open the Van Bommel era away to Italy on September 25, then host France three days later on September 28. Turkiye arrive on October 2, before a trip to France on October 5. The group then closes with a visit to Turkiye on November 12 and a home clash with Italy on November 15. Six games, three elite opponents, one very clear stress test for a new regime.

A Milan alumnus turns back to Serie A

Van Bommel, who wore the Milan shirt in the 2011-12 season, has looked hard at Serie A for his first selection. Six players from the Italian top flight make the cut, underlining how closely he is leaning on that league’s tactical edge and competitive intensity.

Milan defender Koni De Winter is in, a nod to his composure and versatility at the back. Bologna’s new signing Arthur Theate returns to the fold, adding left-footed balance in defence. In midfield, the call that jumps off the page is Kevin De Bruyne, now at Napoli, whose presence immediately raises the ceiling of this team’s creativity.

Parma’s Mandela Keita offers legs and bite in the centre of the pitch, while Atalanta forward Charles De Ketelaere arrives off a strong club season, tasked with finally translating promise into end product in national colours. On the flank, Milan winger Diego Moreira gives Van Bommel an extra injection of pace and directness.

The Serie A thread runs deeper. Romelu Lukaku and Lois Openda, both only recently departed from Italy, remain central to Belgium’s attacking plan. Their familiarity with Italian defenders and stadiums will not be lost on a coach preparing for an opening night in Italy.

Blend of continuity and new responsibility

Van Bommel has not ripped everything up. He has, however, shifted emphasis.

The spine still carries experienced names: Lukaku up front, De Bruyne orchestrating, Youri Tielemans in midfield, Hans Vanaken as a trusted, intelligent option, and Leandro Trossard – now at Bestikas – offering end product from wide areas. That core will be asked to set the tone in a group where any lapse gets punished.

Around them, the list reveals a clear intention to refresh. Romeo Lavia (Chelsea) and Nicolas Raskin (Rangers) add youthful energy and press resistance in midfield, while Keita’s inclusion points to a desire for more aggression and verticality.

At the back, Timothy Castagne (Fulham) and Maxime De Cuyper (Brighton) give flexibility in the full-back roles. Zeno Debast (Sporting), Nathan Ngoy (LOSC), Kyriani Sabbe and Joaquin Seys (both Club Brugge) hint at a generational handover in central defence and on the flanks.

Up front, beyond Lukaku, Van Bommel has loaded his wide and support roles with pace and movement: De Ketelaere, Malick Fofana (Sunderland), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Newcastle United), Mika Godts (PSG), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Moreira, Openda and Trossard. It is a group built to attack space and press high, not simply wait for Lukaku to solve everything in the box.

Goalkeeping battle and domestic backbone

In goal, there is no undisputed superstar name, but there is a genuine contest. Jari De Busser (AZ Alkmaar), Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Mike Penders (Chelsea) and Maarten Vandervoordt (RB Leipzig) will fight for the gloves. Whoever emerges will do so under real pressure, with Italy and France providing the most unforgiving of auditions.

Domestically, Club Brugge form a key pillar of the squad. Mechele, Sabbe, Seys and Vanaken all make the list, ensuring Van Bommel has a block of players who know each other’s movements almost instinctively. That cohesion could prove vital when trying to bed in new tactical ideas in a short international window.

The full Belgium squad for the Nations League

• Goalkeepers: Jari De Busser (AZ Alkmaar), Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Mike Penders (Chelsea), Maarten Vandervoordt (RB Leipzig)
• Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Maxime De Cuyper (Brighton), Zeno Debast (Sporting), Koni De Winter (Milan), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Nathan Ngoy (LOSC), Kyriani Sabbe (Club Brugge), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge), Arthur Theate (Bologna)
• Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli), Mandela Keita (Parma), Romeo Lavia (Chelsea), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri Tielemans (Manchester United), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge)
• Forwards: Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Malick Fofana (Sunderland), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Newcastle United), Mika Godts (PSG), Romelu Lukaku (Fenerbahce), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Diego Moreira (Milan), Lois Openda (Lyon), Leandro Trossard (Bestikas)

The Nations League will not wait for Belgium to grow into this new identity. Italy in September, France twice, Turkiye home and away – this is a trial by fire.

For Van Bommel, it is also an opportunity. If this mix of Serie A steel, Premier League sharpness and domestic understanding clicks early, the question will not be whether Belgium can survive this group. It will be how far this new version of the Red Devils can push Europe’s elite.