Belgium - Senegal: official line-ups — Garcia lines up De Ketelaere and De Bruyne
By OnzeActu · · 2 min read
Belgium and Senegal meet for a direct elimination duel for the 2026 World Cup. Rudi Garcia starts De Ketelaere supported by De Bruyne in a 4-2-3-1; Senegal responds in 4-3-3 with Sadio Mané up front and Diaw starting due to Mendy's injury.
It's a real double-take match between Belgium and Senegal: the two teams are competing for access to the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Rudi Garcia revealed his eleven by relying on the experience of his managers, arranging his team in 4-2-3-1. Kevin De Bruyne will play behind Charles De Ketelaere, with Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard tasked with providing depth and uncertainty on the wings. In the middle, Youri Tielemans and Hans Vanaken will make up the double pivot while the defense in front of Thibaut Courtois will be formed by De Cuyper, Theate, Mechele and Castagne.
On the Senegalese side, coach Pape Bouna Thiaw maintains his 4-3-3 focused on intensity and rapid transitions. Sadio Mané will be the offensive point of support, supported by Ismaïla Sarr and Ndiaye on the sides. The middle trio will combine Habib Diarra, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Pape Gueye to combine physicality and experience. In the goals, Diaw is the starter, called upon to replace the injured Édouard Mendy, while the hinge will be led by Niakhaté.
Image
On paper, Belgium is a slight favorite thanks to its squad and its technical quality, but Senegal has already demonstrated during the competition that it can bother any opponent thanks to its organization, its aggressiveness and its speed on the counterattack.
Official line-ups — Belgium (4-2-3-1): Courtois; De Cuyper, Theate, Mechele, Castagne; Tielemans, Vanaken; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; From Ketelaere. Coach: Rudi Garcia.
Senegal (4-3-3): Diaw; Diatta, Ciss, Niakhaté, Jakobs; Diarra, I. Gueye, P. Gueye; Ndiaye, Sarr, Mané. Coach: Pape Bouna Thiaw.