Belgium’s national team officials announced on Thursday that coach Domenico Tedesco’s contract has been extended for two more years, leading them through to the 2026 World Cup. However, the team will be without their star player Kevin De Bruyne for the upcoming friendlies against Ireland and England this month.
Tedesco took over from Roberto Martinez after the 2022 World Cup and has led Belgium to an impressive record of not losing any of his 10 games in charge so far. However, a disagreement with their usual first-choice goalkeeper has led to Thibaut Courtois not being selected during Tedesco’s tenure.
Under Tedesco’s guidance, Belgium cruised through their Euro 2024 qualification campaign, finishing on top of their group with an impressive tally of 20 out of 24 points.
Unfortunately, Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has been omitted from the latest squad as a precaution due to a minor groin strain. Tedesco expressed concerns about the injury, stating, “I don’t know if there is a connection to his hamstring injury. It is now a problem on the groin that he struggled with in the last few matches.”
“Yesterday I spoke to the doctor and Kevin, and we decided the risk is too great. It is our responsibility to consider both the player and the player’s club,” Tedesco explained. “It is better to give him time to recover well at City and then have him ready for the European Championship. We can’t take a risk now and certainly not with Kevin.”
Belgium will face Ireland in Dublin on March 23 before a highly anticipated encounter with England at Wembley Stadium three days later.