Mark van Bommel Names First Belgium Squad for Nations League

Mark van Bommel has named his first Belgium squad, and he’s leaning hard on Serie A know-how as the Red Devils dive straight into a brutal Nations League group with Italy, France and Turkiye.

Van Bommel’s Italian return

Belgium’s new era begins in the most unforgiving way possible: away to Italy on September 25, Van Bommel’s debut on the touchline. Three days later they host France, then face Turkiye on October 2, travel to France on October 5, visit Turkiye on November 12 and close the group at home to Italy on November 15.

For Van Bommel, there’s a personal twist. The Dutchman knows Italian football from the inside, having worn the Milan shirt in 2011-12. Now he comes back as Belgium boss, replacing Rudi Garcia this summer and immediately building a squad with a clear Italian flavour.

Six players arrive from Serie A: Milan defender Koni De Winter, Bologna signing Arthur Theate, Napoli midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, Parma’s Mandela Keita, Atalanta forward Charles De Ketelaere and Milan winger Diego Moreira. They give Belgium a spine that understands the tactical grind and defensive discipline they’ll face in Group A.

There’s continuity too. Romelu Lukaku and Lois Openda may have left Italy only weeks ago, but their Serie A experience remains fresh as they lead the line from new homes abroad.

A squad built for a gauntlet

The goalkeeping department mixes youth and big-club environments: Jari De Busser (AZ Alkmaar), Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Mike Penders (Chelsea) and Maarten Vandervoordt (RB Leipzig) will fight for the No.1 shirt.

At the back, Van Bommel blends Premier League, Serie A and Belgian Pro League profiles. Timothy Castagne (Fulham) and Maxime De Cuyper (Brighton) offer width, while Zeno Debast (Sporting), De Winter (Milan) and Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge) anchor the central roles. Nathan Ngoy (LOSC), Kyriani Sabbe (Club Brugge), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge) and Theate (Bologna) complete a defensive group that will be tested immediately by Italy’s movement and France’s firepower.

Midfield looks technically sharp and tactically flexible. 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). It’s a unit built to keep the ball, but also to survive without it when the pressure rises in Paris or Turin.

Up front, there is no shortage of options. De Ketelaere (Atalanta) returns after rediscovering his confidence in Bergamo, joined by Malick Fofana (Sunderland), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Newcastle United), Mika Godts (PSG), Lukaku (Fenerbahce), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Moreira (Milan), Openda (Lyon) and Leandro Trossard (Bestikas). Power, pace, flair – Van Bommel has all the tools, if he can find the right blend quickly.

The schedule offers no time for experiments. Italy away, France home, then a sprint to November against two of world football’s most complete sides. Van Bommel has nailed his colours to the mast with a Serie A-flavoured core.

Now comes the real question: can this new-look Belgium grow up fast enough in one of the toughest Nations League groups of all?