The report says Thibaut Courtois has been excused from the campaign after requesting a managed workload. If confirmed, his absence would remove Belgium’s most established goalkeeper from all four fixtures and put extra focus on the alternatives.
The reported squad includes four goalkeepers: Jari De Busser, Mike Penders, Maarten Vandevoordt and Senne Lammens. Three are described as uncapped, while Lammens is the only goalkeeper in the group with an established profile at Manchester United.
That makes the opening fixture against Italy more than a routine start for Van Bommel. Belgium’s goalkeeping hierarchy could be one of the first major decisions of the new era.
The core of the group remains recognisable. Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans are reportedly included, preserving experience in central midfield and attack.
At the same time, the report says eight players outside Belgium’s most recent tournament selection have been added. Brandon Mechele, Joaquin Seys, Hans Vanaken, Koni De Winter and Kyriani Sabbe are among the defensive options, while Romeo Lavia, Nicolas Raskin and Mandela Keita strengthen the midfield pool.
The selection also reflects significant absences. Jeremy Doku and Amadou Onana are reportedly unavailable through injury, while Axel Witsel has retired from international football. Alexis Saelemaekers and Thomas Meunier are not included.
The forward line is led by Lukaku, with Charles De Ketelaere, Loïs Openda, Leandro Trossard, Matías Fernández-Pardo, Mika Godts and Malick Fofana offering different profiles.
The first verdict on Van Bommel’s Belgium will arrive against Italy on 25 September. The result will matter, but so will the goalkeeper decision and how quickly the new arrivals fit around the senior core.