Maarten Vandevoordt Excluded from Belgium’s World Cup Squad
RB Leipzig goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt will not travel to the World Cup with the Belgium national team after failing to secure a spot in the final 26-man roster. The 24-year-old, who has been training with the squad as a fourth-choice keeper, was informed of his omission following the team’s final preparatory match.
The Selection Decision
Following Belgium’s 5-0 victory over Tunisia in their final warm-up match, head coach Rudi Garcia finalized his selections, excluding Vandevoordt from the group scheduled to depart for the tournament in Seattle. The goalkeeper had spent the recent training period working alongside Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid, Manchester United’s Senne Lammens, and Strasbourg’s Mike Penders.
While the decision marks a significant setback for the Leipzig player, the tournament regulations offer a narrow path for a return. Unlike field players, who can only be replaced due to injury up to one day before the start of the tournament, goalkeepers are permitted to be substituted by a healthy replacement even after the competition has commenced. This provision technically keeps a minimal window of opportunity open for Vandevoordt should an injury crisis occur within the Belgian goalkeeping ranks.
Shifting Fortunes in Leipzig
The news creates a stark contrast within the RB Leipzig camp. While Vandevoordt faces an unexpected early start to his summer break, his teammate Assan Ouédraogo has received a last-minute call-up to the German national team. The 20-year-old midfielder was contacted by manager Julian Nagelsmann following a significant injury to Lennart Karl, who was ruled out of the tournament due to a muscle bundle tear.
Ouédraogo, who was vacationing in Marbella, cut his trip short to join the German squad at their training camp in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The rapid transition from leisure to the international stage highlights the volatility of squad selection in the final days preceding a major tournament.
Tournament Logistics and Next Steps
Belgium’s preparations have now shifted toward their official tournament base in Seattle. With the final roster confirmed by Garcia, the team is set to begin their official campaign. For Vandevoordt, the immediate focus shifts from international duty back to his club responsibilities. As the designated future number one for RB Leipzig, his professional trajectory remains a focal point for the club, even as his immediate international ambitions are put on hold.
The status of the Belgian squad remains subject to the standard fitness monitoring typical of pre-tournament phases. Supporters and analysts will continue to track official announcements from the Belgian football authorities as the team settles into their Seattle accommodations ahead of their opening match.
