{
  "id": 8233583,
  "title": "Van Bommel names first Belgium squad with eight changes from World Cup",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/van-bommel-names-first-belgium-squad-with-eight-changes-from-world-cup-8233583",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-18T11:10:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/09/18/van-bommel-names-first-belgium-squad-with-eight-changes-from-world-cup"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Belgium's new coach Mark van Bommel has announced his first squad for the Nations League matches, making eight changes from the World Cup selection. The 28-man roster is set to face Italy, France (twice), and Turkey between September 25 and October 5. Belgium will be without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who requested to be excused due to playing time concerns. Jeremy Doku and Amadou Onana also miss out due to injury. Sacked from the team are midfielder Thomas Meunier and forward Alexis Saelemaekers. Additionally, Axel Witsel has retired from international football. The squad includes uncapped players such as goalkeepers Jari De Busser, Mike Penders, and Maarten Vandevoordt, along with 21-year-old fullback Kyriani Sabbe.",
  "summary": "Mark van Bommel included eight players who missed the World Cup in his 28-man squad to face Italy, France and Turkey in the Nations League matches between Sept 25 and Oct 5.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "FULL LIST: Eight stadiums set to host 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/full-list-eight-stadiums-set-to-host-2027-womens-world-cup-in-brazil",
        "published": "2026-09-18T09:22:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Van Bommel names first Belgium squad with eight changes from World Cup",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/van-bommel-names-first-belgium-squad-with-eight-changes-from-world-cup",
        "published": "2026-09-18T11:10:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}