Belgium National Team: New Players Arrive for First Training Camp

The Belgian national football team began preparations for upcoming friendly matches against the United States with a gathering at the Proximus Basecamp in Tubize on Tuesday morning. Seventeen-year-old Anderlecht midfielder Nathan De Cat was the first player to arrive, accompanied by his mother.

De Cat’s early arrival marked his first official engagement with the national squad, having been recently called up for the matches. Also arriving Tuesday were Lucas Stassin and Mika Godts, who are also new to the national team setup. The players were greeted by the team’s mascot upon arrival, according to reports.

The Belgian squad, nicknamed the Red Devils, is currently ranked ninth in the world by FIFA, according to the latest rankings released on January 19, 2026. Their highest ever ranking was first, a position held from November 2015 to March 2016 and again from September 2018 to March 2022.

The team, governed by the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) and under the jurisdiction of UEFA and FIFA, is preparing for two friendly matches in the United States. These matches are intended to serve as preparation for future competitive fixtures. The current head coach is Rudi Garcia, and Youri Tielemans is the team captain.

Veteran Jan Vertonghen holds the record for the most caps for Belgium, with 157 appearances, while Romelu Lukaku is the all-time leading scorer with 89 goals. The team’s home stadium is the King Baudouin Stadium.

While Vanaken was reported to be present, his status was not immediately clear. The team is scheduled to depart for the United States following the training camp in Tubize.