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Mark van Bommel's Belgium Squad Features Serie A Stars for Nations League

Belgium’s new era under Mark van Bommel will begin with a distinctly Italian flavour – and a brutal Nations League schedule.

Drawn into a heavyweight Group A alongside Italy, France and Turkiye, the Red Devils face a six-game sprint that will test both the depth and identity of Van Bommel’s first squad. The Dutchman, who wore the Milan shirt in 2011-12, has turned back to Serie A for some of his key pillars.

A Milan old boy, an Italian-flavoured squad

Van Bommel, appointed this summer to replace Rudi Garcia, opens his tenure in the country where he once patrolled midfield. Belgium kick off away to Italy on September 25, then host France three days later on September 28. Turkiye arrive on October 2, before a trip to France on October 5. The group then closes with a visit to Turkiye on November 12 and a home clash against Italy on November 15.

For that run, he has named six players currently based in Serie A.

  • Milan defender Koni De Winter earns a place, joined by Bologna’s new signing Arthur Theate at the back.
  • In midfield, Napoli’s Kevin De Bruyne provides the star wattage and passing range, with Parma’s Mandela Keita offering energy and legs.
  • Up front, Atalanta forward Charles De Ketelaere is rewarded for his resurgence, while Milan winger Diego Moreira brings directness and flair out wide.

Two more familiar faces hover just outside that Italian core. Romelu Lukaku and Lois Openda only left Serie A in recent weeks, but both remain central to Belgium’s attacking threat.

Balance across the pitch

In goal, Van Bommel has gone young but ambitious: Jari De Busser (AZ Alkmaar), Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Mike Penders (Chelsea) and Maarten Vandervoordt (RB Leipzig) will fight for the No. 1 shirt.

The defensive unit mixes domestic stalwarts with exports: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Maxime De Cuyper (Brighton), Zeno Debast (Sporting), De Winter (Milan), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Nathan Ngoy (LOSC), Kyriani Sabbe (Club Brugge), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge) and Theate (Bologna).

Midfield carries a familiar spine. De Bruyne (Napoli) is joined by Keita (Parma), Romeo Lavia (Chelsea), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri Tielemans (Manchester United) and Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge) – a blend of Premier League experience, Belgian Pro League continuity and Serie A craft.

Up front, the options are varied and aggressive: De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Malick Fofana (Sunderland), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Newcastle United), Mika Godts (PSG), Lukaku (Fenerbahce), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Moreira (Milan), Openda (Lyon) and Leandro Trossard (Bestikas).

Van Bommel’s first list is not a revolution, but it is a statement. Youth pushed alongside established names. Serie A influence threaded through every line. And a debut competitive window that offers no time for gentle introductions.

Italy away, France twice, Turkiye home and away. Belgium will discover very quickly what Van Bommel’s Red Devils really are.

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