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Van Bommel selects De Busser and surprises with the first Red
Teams 18 September 2026

Van Bommel selects De Busser and surprises with the first Red

Mark van Bommel has announced his first selection as the new national coach of Belgium. Jari De Busser gets a chance with the Red Devils for the first time, while Mika Godts returns. Experienced internationals such as De Bruyne and Lukaku are still there, but Witsel, Courtois and Meunier are missing. The roster also includes debutant Kyriani Sabbe and returning players such as Openda, Keita and Lavia. Belgium will play against top countries such as Italy and France in the coming international match.

Van Bommel selects De Busser and surprises with the first Red

According to Vi.

Background

Jari De Busser, who moved from Go Ahead Eagles to AZ this summer, is now seen as an emerging talent within the Belgian football structure. His selection for the Red Devils under Van Bommel could give his career new impetus, especially in light of the current changes within the team.

Why this matters

The selection of Jari De Busser by Mark van Bommel marks an important step in his career, especially after his recent transfer to AZ. This offers him the opportunity to further demonstrate his development as a goalkeeper at the highest level, as Belgium prepares for challenging matches against top countries. The absence of experienced players such as Courtois and Witsel creates space for new talents in the team.

Key points

  • Van Bommel selects De Busser and surprises with the first Red.
  • Mark van Bommel has announced his first selection as the new national coach of Belgium.
  • Van Bommel surprises with De Busser in first selection as national coach of Belgium.

Mark van Bommel has announced his very first selection as national coach of Belgium and opts for a mix of experience and innovation. Striking in the list presented is the call-up of goalkeeper Jari De Busser (AZ), who is allowed to join the national team for the first time. De Busser, who came over from Go Ahead Eagles to AZ this summer, is benefiting from the absence of first goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who is missing the Nations League. For De Busser, this is a nice reward for his development and recent transfer to Alkmaar.

Another interesting name on Van Bommel's selection list is Mika Godts, who may rejoin the Red Devils after his much-discussed switch to Paris Saint-Germain. Godts returns after a short absence and gets the chance to prove himself with the national team. In addition to these two striking names, the young right back Kyriani Sabbe (21) from Club Brugge has also been selected for the first time, which underlines the rejuvenation within the Belgian team.

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However, Van Bommel also maintains a solid base with veterans such as Kevin De Bruyne (35) and Romelu Lukaku (33), who remain important for Belgium despite their age. De Bruyne and Lukaku still form the backbone of the team, but a number of familiar faces are now missing. For example, Axel Witsel said goodbye to international football earlier this week, so he is not there. Courtois is absent of his own accord, while Thomas Meunier has been passed over by the new national coach.

Furthermore, Loïs Openda, Mandela Keita (Parma) and Roméo Lavia (Chelsea), among others, will return to the selection for the coming international match. Belgium immediately faces a tough test; The Red Devils will compete against top countries Italy, France twice and Turkey in the coming weeks. These strength tests offer Van Bommel an excellent opportunity to test his new team in practice and to continue building the team for future prospects.qualifying series and the 2026 World Cup.

With this selection, Van Bommel is taking a clear first step as national coach, giving new faces such as De Busser and Sabbe the opportunity, while experienced forces provide stability. The coming international matches will tell whether this mix will be successful for Belgium.

What's happening now

Belgium will play against strong opponents such as Italy and France in the coming international match, which will be a test for the new selection. De Busser and Godts have the opportunity to prove themselves and demonstrate their value to the national team. This can also impact the transfer market, especially if they present themselves well and come into the spotlight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Jari De Busser?

Jari De Busser is a goalkeeper who recently came from Go Ahead Eagles to AZ and was selected for the first time for the Belgian national team, De Rode Duivels.

Which club does Jari De Busser come from?

Jari De Busser comes from Go Ahead Eagles and switched to AZ this summer.

Why was Jari De Busser selected for De Rode Duivels?

De Busser has been selected due to the absence of first goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and his recent development as a goalkeeper.

When was the selection of Jari De Busser made official?

The selection of Jari De Busser has been made official by national coach Mark van Bommel during his first selection for the Red Devils.

What is Jari De Busser's role in the team?

Jari De Busser will play the role of goalkeeper in the Belgian national team, especially now that Thibaut Courtois is absent.

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