Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco’s contract has been extended for two more years to take them to the 2026 World Cup, officials said on Thursday, but he will be without talisman Kevin De Bruyne for friendlies with Ireland and England this month.
Tedesco took over from Roberto Martinez after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and Belgium has not lost in his 10 games in charge so far, though a fallout with their usual first-choice keeper means Thibaut Courtois has not been selected during his tenure.
Tedesco steered Belgium to an easy qualification for Euro 2024 as it topped its group with 20 out of 24 points.
Belgium’s Manchester City midfielder De Bruyne has been left out of the latest squad as a precaution due to a slight groin strain.
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“I don’t know if there is a connection to his hamstring injury. It is now a problem on the groin that he struggled with in the last few matches,” Tedesco told reporters on Thursday.
“Yesterday I spoke to the doctor and Kevin and we decided the risk is too great. It is our responsibility to take into account the player but also the player’s club.
“It is better to give him time to recover well at City and then have him ready for the European Championship. We can’t take a risk now and certainly not with Kevin,” he added.
Belgium will play Ireland in Dublin on March 23 before a high-profile meeting with England at Wembley three days later.
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