Rudi Garcia names 3 uncapped players in Belgium squad for US and Mexico friendlies

BRUSSELS — Belgium coach Rudi Garcia unveiled a 28-man squad on Friday that features three uncapped prospects as the Red Devils prepare for a training camp and friendlies against the United States and Mexico, using the North American trip to audition fresh talent ahead of the World Cup.

Anderlecht midfielder Nathan De Cat, 17, Ajax winger Mika Godts and Saint-Etienne forward Lucas Stassin will join the senior setup for the first time, swelling a deliberately enlarged group Garcia says is designed to balance returning veterans with emerging youth.

“This is the reason why we have three new players in the selection, three players under 21,” Garcia explained, noting that several regulars are still regaining full fitness after injury. “Talent does not wait for age,” he added, citing previous early promotions of Eden Hazard at Lille and Rayan Cherki at Lyon as proof of his willingness to trust teenagers when the profile fits. “I also think he’s an athletic profile we don’t have much of in Belgium,” Garcia said of De Cat.

The camp will welcome back Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, both of whom recently recovered from knocks, but World Cup-winning goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will remain in Madrid after tearing a muscle in his upper right leg during Champions League play. Medical staff estimate a six-week layoff for the Real Madrid stopper.

Belgium faces the United States on 28 March in Atlanta and meets Mexico three days later in Chicago, giving Garcia two high-profile tests before narrowing his options for the upcoming tournament.

Squad breakdown Goalkeepers: Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest), Maarten Vandevoordt (RB Leipzig)

Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Zeno Debast (Sporting Lisbon), Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton), Koni De Winter (AC Milan), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Thomas Meunier (Lille), Nathan Ngoy (Lille), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge), Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli), Nathan De Cat (Anderlecht), Amadou Onana (Aston Villa), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Girona)

Forwards: Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jérémy Doku (Manchester City), Mika Godts (Ajax), Romelu Lukaku (Napoli), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Lois Openda (Juventus), Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan), Lucas Stassin (Saint-Etienne), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)

Belgium, currently refining tactics and chemistry under their new coach, will hope the blend of established stars and untested prodigies produces clarity before the global spotlight intensifies.