Manchester United’s Adnan Januzaj has been included in Belgium’s 2014 FIFA World Cup 24-man initial Brazil squad. The Manchester United player is one of the twelve English Premier League player included in the list. Januzaj is yet to play any game for Belgium with the player only last month just declaring his allegiance for his country of birth.
Januzaj’s teammate at Manchester United; Marouane Fellaini, Chelsea trio of Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois, Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany among other English Premier League based player listed in the squad.
Timmy Simons was notably excluded from the squad. The Club Brugge’s experienced midfielder player who is close to 100 caps for Belgium. Other exclusion due to injury includes Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, with 19-year-old Lille striker Divock Origi called-up to replace him.
Coach Marc Wilmots’ are drawn with Russia, Korea Republic and Algeria. Doubts are casted as to the fitness of Koen Casteels warranting the call of a fourth goalkeeper Silvio Proto.
Belgium squad
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Koen Casteels (Hoffenheim), Silvio Proto (Anderlecht)
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid), Anthony Vanden Borre (Anderlecht), Laurent Ciman (Standard Liege), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Daniel Van Buyten (Bayern Munich), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit)
Midfielders: Axel Witsel (Zenit), Steven Defour (Porto), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Nacer Chadli (Tottenham), Moussa Dembele (Tottenham), Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg), Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United), Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Forwards: Dries Mertens (Napoli), Kevin Mirallas (Everton), Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea), Divock Origi (Lille)
Standby: Sebastien Pocognoli (Hannover), Radja Nainggolan (Cagliari), Thorgan Hazard (Chelsea), Jelle Van Damme (Standard Liege), Guillaume Gillet (Anderlecht), Michy Batshuayi (Standard Liege)