Euro 2020: Leaving World Cup failure in past, transformed Italy aim for the title

 It’s a transformation that came sooner than expected under coach Roberto Mancini, who has found the right mix of younger players and veterans to create optimism around a team that had lost all of its confidence.

In three years, Italy have gone from failing to qualify for the World Cup to a perfect qualifying campaign for the European Championship.

It’s a transformation that came sooner than expected under coach Roberto Mancini, who has found the right mix of younger players and veterans to create optimism around a team that had lost all of its confidence.

“There are teams that are a step above us but we don’t feel inferior to anyone and we want to surprise,” veteran defender Leonardo Bonucci said.

Currently on a 26-match unbeaten run — the second longest streak in the team’s history, trailing only a 30-match stretch from 1935-39 under Vittorio Pozzo — Italy has the honor of hosting the tournament’s opening match against Turkey on 11 June in Rome.

Switzerland and Wales are also in Group A with the Azzurri.

Players to watch

While alternating center forwards Ciro Immobile and Andrea Belotti are supposed to take care of the scoring, Italy’s strength is their large group of diminutive but highly effective wingers and midfielders.

Left winger Lorenzo Insigne is considered Italy’s most talented player and his lack of use during the failed qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup — especially when he was benched during the playoff loss to Sweden — irked fans to no end.

On the other wing there’s Federico Chiesa, the son of former Italy striker Enrico Chiesa, while Federico Bernardeschi remains another strong option in attack.

Then in midfield there are endless options with Nicolò Barella, Jorginho, Manuel Locatelli, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matteo Pessina — plus Marco Verratti and Stefano Sensi, injuries permitting.

Insigne, Verratti, Sensi, Barella and Chiesa all stand 5-foot-9 (1.75 meters) or under.

Old guard

Captain Giorgio Chiellini and Bonucci are the only members of the team with more than 100 appearances.

No other players called up have even made 50 appearances.

What’s more is that both Chiellini and Bonucci remain starters in defense, although they now have reliable backups in cancer survivor Francesco Acerbi, Gianluca Mancini and Alessandro Bastoni — who have established themselves at Lazio, Roma and Inter, respectively.

Record-setting goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon retired from international soccer after the failed World Cup qualification. He's been replaced by 22-year-old Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Mancini had to coach games remotely in November when he was under quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 , even though he was asymptomatic.

Newly hired assistant Daniele De Rossi was hospitalized for more than a month with pneumonia symptoms after he was one of four staff members who contracted the virus during World Cup qualifying matches in March.

Several players have also struggled with COVID-19 , notably Verratti, who tested positive in both January and April. Verratti then injured his right knee in early May but team physicians believe he can return during the tournament.

Missing players

Besides Buffon, the biggest name missing is that of Mario Balotelli.

Now 30, the striker who led Italy to the Euro 2012 final plays for Monza in Serie B after a series of on- and off-the-field problems.

After years away from the national team, Balotelli was called up when Mancini was first hired in 2018 but then lost his way again.

“I was hoping that he would feel pride in showing that he could return to being the player that he showed he can be,”

Mancini said. “Unfortunately, though, Mario didn’t do much to return to his top level. And that remains a big disappointment.”

Another key player missing is 21-year-old midfielder Nicolò Zaniolo, who tore ligaments in both knees in separate injuries last year and is still recovering.

Chances of advancing

A four-time World Cup champion, Italy’s only European Championship title came in 1968. While the Azzurri are not one of the top favorites this time, they are expected to make a run into the knock-out rounds.

Mancini, though, believes Italy can aim for the title, which would provide relief for one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic.

“We want to provide a reason for the entire nation to celebrate,” Mancini said, “especially considering what we’ve been through over the last year and a half.”

Source: https://www.firstpost.com/sports/euro-2020-leaving-world-cup-failure-in-past-transformed-italy-aim-for-the-title-9673021.html

St Petersburg Prepares To Hold UEFA EURO 2020 Matches

Saint Petersburg, Russia's second largest city, has prepared all the necessary infrastructure and facilities for hosting UEFA Euro Cup 2020 matches this June and through July, according to information emerging from the office of City Governor Alexander Beglov.

The organizers assured that they would try to do everything to make the tournament as safe as possible. For those who have purchased tickets for football matches, it is enough to obtain a FAN ID. But before entering Russian territory, they will need to pass a coronavirus test. Fans who come to Russia for the European Championship will be able to stay in the country until July 12.

In addition to maintaining all the required security measures during the tournament, the City Administration also assured that the matches would be organized with strict adherence to safety measures for preventing the spread of the coronavirus. These measures worked out by the steering committee within the requirements set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

"As far as general security is concerned, our law enforcement services work very well. They will have a command center directly at the stadium," Alexander Beglov told local Russian media late May. "Training is under way, and we have the understanding of what to do and how it should be done. We have the experience of hosting various tournaments."

In and around St. Petersburg, the venue for the matches, the playing fields have been prepared. "We have the main arena, and we have prepared three more venues - the Petrovsky and Turbostroitel stadiums, and the facility in Zelenogorsk, where teams will train. There will be fan-zones on the Konyushennaya Square and the Palace Square. Besides, another fan zone will be set up near the Yubileyny (Sports Palace)," he said. "All the necessary infrastructure is ready."

In March last year, UEFA announced a decision to postpone the 2020 UEFA Euro Cup for exactly one year as a preventive measure against the ongoing global spread of the novel coronavirus.

St. Petersburg was among the 12 cities initially proposed in Europe to host the European championship's matches. It was granted the right to host three group stage matches and one of the quarterfinals of the UEFA Euro Cup. This was after Dublin (Ireland) and Bilbao (Spain) pulled out from the organization of the European football games citing anti-COVID-19 measures.

Overall, Russia's second-largest city is scheduled to host the following matches: Belgium vs Russia (June 12), Poland vs Slovakia (June 14), Finland vs Russia (June 16), Sweden vs Slovakia (June 18), Finland vs Belgium (June 21), Sweden vs Poland (June 23) and a quarterfinal on July 2.

According to RIA Novosti report, Head of the Government of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Mishustin, said that foreign fans would not need Russian visas to attend the European Football Championship in St. Petersburg, and that corresponding order was already signed. In addition, UEFA official representatives, staff involved in the preparation and holding of the tournament, athletes and volunteers will get entry documents under the simplified procedure.

In order to attract fans as it was during the FIFA matches, Russia's diplomatic missions abroad have started informing potential fans of the procedure for entering the Russian Federation during the Championships, specifically, how to obtain personal spectator cards or FAN IDs.

Russia's diplomatic missions abroad have received FAN ID samples and related pamphlets for fans. FAN IDs allow their holders to enter the Russian Federation multiple times visa-free from May 29, through July 2, and to exit from the Russian Federation multiple times. The visa are provided exclusively free of charge, that is without any payment of fees, from May 29 through July 12, 2021.

The Foreign Ministry has instructed Russia's diplomatic missions abroad to issue high-priority visas to media representatives, participants in sporting events and certain other categories of foreign citizens planning to take part in the Championships.

During the weekly media briefing, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova discussed the situation about electronic visas to Russia. "It began with the FIFA World Cup. When football lovers, tourists and fans came to Russia despite spooky stories about Russia in Western media, they were shocked by the difference between what they had read and what they actually saw. They saw that our country is truly interesting, wonderful and spectacular," she said at the briefing.

She, however, recalled how many people wanted to stay here longer and extended their visas and how many wanted to return. It was at that time that discussions began on the need to take relevant efforts to attract sport fans, and change the negative social attitudes and image among foreigners.

The World Cup has left an indelible impression on the memory of many foreign fans who arrived in the country from all over the world. "I think the point here is not about our response to something, but about the desire to show what we really are, our country and give people an opportunity to decide for themselves," explained Zakharova.

Significant to recall here that at the end of the last FIFA World Cup, President Vladimir Putin said: "We prepared responsibly for this major event and did our best so that fans could immerse themselves in the atmosphere of a magnificent football festival and, of course, enjoy their stay in Russia – open, hospitable, friendly Russia – and find new friends, new like-minded people."

FIFA World Cup also ran in summer, from June 14 to July 15, in ten (10) different cities in Russia. The foreign fans who received Fan IDs and purchased tickets for the matches went to Russia without visas. After the World Cup, President Putin declared that the Fan ID holders would have the right to visit repeatedly visa-free until the end of that year.

UEFA Euro Cup is set in 11 cities, namely in London (England), Munich (Germany), Rome (Italy), Baku (Azerbaijan), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Bucharest (Romania), Amsterdam (The Netherlands), Budapest (Hungary), Glasgow (Scotland), Copenhagen (Denmark) and Seville (Spain). The European Championship 2020, for the first time, played in different countries. The tournament includes 12 cities in honor of the anniversary of the competition. The European Championship in 2020 marked 60 years.

Source: https://www.eurasiareview.com/01062021-st-petersburg-prepares-to-hold-uefa-euro-2020-matches/

Denmark Euro 2020 Squad & Team Line-ups (26 Players List)

Denmark have become the latest nation to reveal their Euro 2020 squad.

The Danes could be dark horses for the competition with the majority of their players plying their trade in Europe's top five leagues.

Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, Chelsea's Andreas Christensen and Tottenham's Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg are among the Premier League contingent, while Inter's Christian Eriksen and Borussia Dortmund's Thomas Delaney also made the cut.

Joachim Andersen - who spent the season on loan at Fulham and is attracting plenty of interest - will feature as well, along with Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite and RB Leipzig's Yussuf Poulsen.

Denmark were unbeaten in qualifying, winning four of their eight games and just being pipped to first place in Group D by Switzerland. In their last major tournament, the 2018 World Cup, they did well, securing a draw against eventual winners France in the group stages before going out in the round of 16 to finalists Croatia on penalties.

Denmark stand a decent chance of progressing to the knockout stages this summer after being placed in a group alongside Belgium, Russia and Finland. The shock 1992 champions are returning to the Euros after missing out in 2016 and will be managed by Kasper Hjulmand.

Denmark squad for Euro 2020

Goalkeepers: Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester), Jonas Lössl (Midtjylland), Frederik Rønnow (Schalke)

Defenders: Jens Stryger Larsen (Udinese), Simon Kjær (AC Milan), Andreas Christensen (Chelsea), Joachim Andersen (Fullham), Daniel Wass (Valencia), Mathias Jørgensen (Copenhagen), Joakim Mæhle (Atalanta), Jannik Vestergaard (Southampton), Nicolai Boilesen (Copenhagen)

Midfielders: Mathias Jensen (Brentford), Christian Nørgaard (Brentford), Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham), Thomas Delaney (Dortmund), Anders Christiansen (Malmö), Christian Eriksen (Inter Milan), Mikkel Damsgaard (Sampdoria), Robert Skov (Hoffenheim)

Forwards: Martin Braithwaite (Barcelona), Andreas Cornelius (Parma), Andreas Skov Olsen (Bologna), Yussuf Poulsen (Leipzig), Kasper Dolberg (Nice), Jonas Wind (Copenhagen)

Euro 2020: Gareth Southgate announces provisional England squad for delayed tournament

Southgate, who was due to name his 26 players for next month's tournament today, will make his final selection by 1 June.

England football manager Gareth Southgate has announced his provisional squad for next month's men's European Championships.

Southgate, who was due to name his 26 players for the tournament today, will instead provide the final selection by 1 June, the UEFA deadline for squads to be formally submitted.

Full squad

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Manchester United), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Aaron Ramsdale (Sheffield United)

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Ben Godfrey (Everton), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ben White (Brighton)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (West Ham), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds), Declan Rice (West Ham), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton).

Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Mason Greenwood (Manchester United), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).

Captain Sergio Ramos left out of Spain squad for Euro 2020

The Spain Euro 2020 squad for this summer has been announced - and Sergio Ramos is not going to be at the tournament.

Ramos, the 35-year-old Real Madrid captain has struggled with injury this season and has featured just five times since the start of the year.

"It was a very difficult decision but he has not been able to play this season and has hardly trained since January," Luis Enrique told the press conference as he announced a 24-man squad.

"I called him yesterday (Sunday), it was hard, difficult. I feel bad, because he is very professional and he helps the national team a lot. And he can still help it in the future. But I have to look for the best for the squad," the coach said.

The absence of Ramos means there is not a single Madrid player in the Spain squad.

Spain squad

Goalkeepers: David De Gea (Manchester United/ENG), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), Robert Sanchez (Brighton/ENG).

Defenders: Jose Gaya (Valencia), Eric Garcia, Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City/ENG), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Diego Llorente (Leeds/ENG), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea/ENG)

Midfielders: Fabian Ruiz (Napoli/ITA), Pedri, Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri Hernandez (Manchester City/ENG), Koke, Marcos Llorente (both Atletico Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool/ENG).

Forwards: Dani Olmo (Leipzig/GER), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ferran Torres (Manchester City/ENG), Gerard Moreno (Villarreal), Alvaro Morata (Juventus/ITA), Adama Traore (Wolverhampton/ENG), Pablo Sarabia (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA).

Poland Euro 2020 Squad & Team Line-ups (26 Players List)

 Poland coach Paulo Sousa on Monday named his squad for next month's European Championship that begins on June 11. Kamil Grosicki was the biggest name to miss out on the 26-man squad.

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski is set to lead the team while 17-year old midfielder Kacper Kozlowski made the cut after making his debut in March. The Portuguese coach also named four reserves.

"I'm enthusiastic and, as I said before, we need unity, faith and confidence from the very beginning," Sousa told reporters.

"Based on the experience from the previous three meetings of the Polish national team, the team I have appointed is the best decision at the moment."

Injured forward Krzysztof Piatek was left out after the Polish FA confirmed last week that the 25-year-old needed surgery after fracturing his ankle with Hertha Berlin while Grosicki only made the reserves list.

"Kamil has extensive experience and contributed a lot to the national team," Sousa said.

"However, we want to look at a different development path for this team... to be successful. Making this decision was difficult, but I always put my emotions aside."

Attacking midfielder Sebastian Szymanski did not make the cut either and Sousa said his role for his club Dynamo Moscow worked against him.

"We wanted to use him on the right side of the field because he is a talented player. At his club, he plays as a central midfielder, but I have a different concept in the squad," Sousa added.

"I'm counting on him to maintain the pace of development we have seen so far and I believe he will be able to help the team in the future."

Goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki was the 27th name on the list but he has been called up only for the training camp in Opalenica.

Poland is in Group E along with Spain, Sweden and Slovakia. Sousa's side plays Slovakia in its opening group game in St Petersburg on June 14.

POLAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Lukasz Fabianski, Lukasz Skorupski, Wojciech Szczesny

Defenders: Jan Bednarek, Bartosz Bereszynski, Pawel Dawidowicz, Kamil Glik, Michal Helik, Tomasz Kedziora, Kamil Piatkowski, Tymoteusz Puchacz, Maciej Rybus

Midfielders: Przemyslaw Frankowski, Kamil Jozwiak, Mateusz Klich, Kacper Kozlowski, Grzegorz Krychowiak, Karol Linetty, Jakub Moder, Przemyslaw Placheta, Piotr Zielinski

Forwards: Robert Lewandowski, Dawid Kownacki, Arkadiusz Milik, Karol Swiderski, Jakub Swierczok

Reserves: Rafal Augustyniak, Kamil Grosicki, Robert Gumny, Sebastian Szymanski.

Euro 2020: Spain national soccer team schedule | Find here Spain in UEFA Euro 2021

Spain's national soccer team will have a difficult task to overcome the challenges in Group E at the Euro 2020. Check out the schedule for Luis Enrique's side in UEFA Euro 2021.

The Euro 2020 is set to be the 16th UEFA European Championship. It takes place every four years and is organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). The soccer competition was originally scheduled for June 12 to July 12, 2020. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament was delayed for a whole year and is now rescheduled to start on June 11 and end on July 11, 2021.

Of the 24 teams, 19 will be returning from the 2016 edition. Belgium and Italy have been among them, each recording faultless qualification campaigns (10 victories in 10 matches). The defending champions Euro champions, Portugal, the defending World Champions France, and Spain have qualified for the 13th consecutive time.

Spain men's national soccer team is located in Group E, alongside Sweden, Poland, and Slovakia. They will play their matches at home in Seville, and their team base camp will be in Las Rozas de Madrid.

Euro 2020: Goretzka and Kroos return to Germany squad for final qualifiers

Germany coach Joachim Low has named his squad to face Belarus and Northern Ireland, with Leon Goretzka and Toni Kroos both returning.

Leon Goretzka and Toni Kroos have returned to Germany's squad for its Euro 2020 qualifiers against Belarus and Northern Ireland.

Real Madrid star Kroos and Bayern Munich midfielder Goretzka missed the 2-2 friendly draw with Argentina and 3-0 qualifying win against Estonia through injury.

However, both players have since returned to action for their club sides and have been included in Joachim Low's 24-man squad.

Low is still without long-term injury absentee Leroy Sane, while Niklas Sule is set for a lengthy lay-off after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his left knee last month. 

Bayer Leverkusen attacker Nadiem Amiri received a maiden senior call-up last month and is included again, as is Schalke 04 midfielder Suat Serdar.

The Germany Euro 2020 squad has been revealed, and includes surprise returns for Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels

Germany SQUAD

GK: Manuel Neuer, (Bayern Munich)

GK: Bernd Leno, (Arsenal)

GK: Kevin Trapp, (Eintracht Frankfurt)

DF: Robin Koch, (Kaiserslauten)

DF: Christian Gunter, (Freiburg)

DF: Mats Hummels, (Borussia Dortmund)

DF: Antonio Rüdiger, (Chelsea)

DF: Matthias Ginter, (Borussia Monchengladbach)

DF: Emre Can, (Borussia Dortmund)

DF: Niklas Sule, (Bayern Munich)

DF: Lukas Klostermann, (RB Leipzig)

DF: Marcel Halstenberg, (RB Leipzig)

DF: Robin Gosens, (Atalanta)

MF: Toni Kroos, (Real Madrid)

MF: Joshua Kimmich, (Bayern Munich)

MF: Thomas Muller, (Bayern Munich)

MF: İlkay Gundogan, (Manchester City)

MF: Leon Goretzka, (Bayern Munich)

MF: Leroy Sané, (Bayern Munich)

MF: Kai Havertz, (Chelsea)

MF: Florian Neuhaus, (Borussia Mönchengladbach)

MF: Jonas Hofmann, (Borussia Mönchengladbach)

MF: Jamal Musiala, (Bayern Munich)

FW: Timo Werner, (Chelsea)

FW: Serge Gnabry, (Bayern Munich)

FW: Kevin Volland, (Monaco)

Euro 2020: Didier Deschamps names star-studded France squad as Karim Benzema makes surprising return

France manager Didier Deschamps has named his 26-man squad for this summer's European Championship, with a surprise re-call for Karim Benzema.

Benzema last played for his country in 2015, while there is also room in the side for Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, as well as a debut call-up for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde.

There is, however, no place for Manchester United's Anthony Martial. Borussia Monchengladbach's Marcus Thuram has been included instead.

France are one of the favourites to lift the trophy at Wembley in July after their triumphant World Cup 2018 campaign.

France SQUAD Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham, Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Mike Maignan (Lille); Defenders: Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), Leo Dubois (France), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich), Lucas Digne (Everton), Clement Lenglet (Barcelona), Kurt Zouma (Chelsea); Midfielders: N'golo Kante (Chelsea), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Adrien Rabiot (Paris Saint-Germain), Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich), Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham); Attackers: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain, Marcus Thuram (Borussia Monchengladbach), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco), Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona), Thomas Lemar (Atletico Madrid), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona).

Belgium name Hazard, De Bruyne, Lukaku in 26-man UEFA Euro 2020 squad

 Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez also selected a group of 11 reserve players who could step up in case of injuries ahead of the tournament, which opens on June 11.

Leandro Trossard and Jeremy Doku were called up Monday to the Belgium squad for the European Championship alongside the usual stalwarts of the country’s “Golden Generation.”

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez named Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel in his list of 26 players for the continental tournament. Martinez also selected a group of 11 reserve players who could step up in case of injuries ahead of the tournament, which opens on June 11.

“There are still some games to be played at domestic level, in terms of possible injuries and possible changes, especially in these uncertain times,” Martinez said. “We have got 11 players that will be serving us as stand-by players.”

Teams have been allowed to select 26-player squads instead of the usual 23 to help them cope amid the coronavirus pandemic. The final 26-man squads must be submitted by June 1.

Belgium will play in Group B, opening against Russia on June 12. The top-ranked Belgians will then face Denmark and Finland.

Doku, an 18-year-old forward, was rewarded for his solid performances with French club Rennes this season. His speed and technique make him an excellent candidate for a super-sub role within a squad full of attacking riches.

Trossard could be an adequate replacement for Hazard, who has been struggling for form. The diminutive Brighton forward has similarities with the Real Madrid striker, with excellent dribbling skills, good vision and a sense for goal. The 26-year-old Trossard scored a pair of goals in March in World Cup qualifying and has been consistent with his Premier League club recently.

Witsel has yet to return from a serious Achilles injury he sustained in January but Martinez said he has received some good news about his rehabilitation.

“In the situation of Axel, we need to be very clear we don’t expect anything,” Martinez said. “This is just a reward for what he has done for the national team, and his career, and the good work he has done in the last months. The real decision with Axel Witsel will be on the 11th of June.”

Martinez said Witsel needs some more time to be ready but insisted he feels “very confident that he could have a big role” during the tournament.

The only big name missing was Marouane Fellaini, but his absence was not a surprise since the former Manchester United defender now playing in China has not featured for Belgium since 2018.

BELGIUM SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge), Matz Sels (Strasbourg)

Defenders: Jan Vertonghen (Benfica), Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham), Thomas Vermaelen (Vissel Kobe), Dedryck Boyata (Hertha Berlin), Jason Denayer (Lyon)

Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Axel Witsel (Borussia Dortmund), Youri Tielemans (Leicester), Leander Dendoncker (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Dennis Praet (Leicester), Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund), Timothy Castagne (Leicester), Nacer Chadli (Istanbul Basaksehir)

Forwards: Eden Hazard (Real Madrid), Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Michy Batshuayi (Crystal Palace), Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace), Jeremy Doku (Rennes), Leandro Trossard (Brighton)