Belgium has reminded Axel Witsel to add experience to the team instead of wounded captain Youri Tielemans and striker Romelu Lukaku for this month against North Macedonia and Wales, coach Rudi Garcia announced on Friday.
It is a surprising return for the 36-year-old Girona midfielder, who last played 132 caps for Belgium in Warming-Up Games prior to the European Championship 2024.
«Axel plays a lot of minutes at Girona and is a leader,» Garcia told a press conference that announced the 26-man team for the collisions against fellow group J-Frontunners.
«He can guide the young players and is a versatile player. With Tielemans and Lukaku absent I needed an extra experienced player. He, together with Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Thomas Meunier, will accompany those younger players.»
Back is midfielder Amadou Onana from Aston Villa, who sustained a hamstring injury last month, while goalkeeper Senne Lammens, Manchester United, returns after sitting on the couch for two world cup qualifications in June.
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Despite a lack of playing time at Eintracht Frankfurt, Garcia Michy Batshuayi held in the team.
«He doesn’t play much, but he is someone who knows what it’s like to score for Belgium and is a kind of striker who can play a role deep in the line -up,» the coach said.
He also kept Charles de Ketelaere in the team, although the attacker Atalanta’s Champions League victory at Club Brugge missed on Tuesday due to injury.
«He did great the last time. We will see how fit he is on Monday,» Garcia added.
Belgium is second in the rankings on 10 points of four games, one behind North Macedonia, who played five games. Wales also has 10 points but from five trips.
Belgium is organizing North Macedonia in Ghent next Friday before going to Cardiff to compete against Wales three days later.
Team
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest), Maarten Vandevoort (RB Leipzig)
Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Zeno Debast (Sporting), Maxim The Cuyper (Brighton), Koni the Winter (AC Milan), Brugs (Club Brugs), Thomas (Lille), Joaquiin Sea (Lille)
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli), Amadou Onana (Aston Villa), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Charles Vanhoutte (Union St Gillois), Axel Witsel (Girona)
Forward: Michy Batshuayi (Eintracht Frankfurt), Charles de Keberaere (Atalanta), Jelemy Doku (Manchester City), Malick Fofana (Olympique Lyonnais), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Arsenal (Arsenal)
Published on October 3, 2025
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