Stroeykens and Duranville in pre-selection World Cup

OTHER On November 10, national coach Roberto Martinez will announce his selection of 26 players for the World Cup in Qatar. Last week, he already had to submit a pre-selection with 55 names to FIFA. In an interview today, he said Mario Stroeykens (pictured) and Julian Duranville are on that list.


The full list of 55 was not disclosed, but that Jan Vertonghen is on it is a certainty. Possibly Yari Verschaeren and Hendrik Van Crombrugge are also on it, but even if so, like Duranville and Stroeykens, they should not immediately hope for selection. The national coach said he plans to bring players who have already played for the Devils.

"There are 55 players in the pre-selection, five per position. Almost two players on each position have never played for the Red Devils, but we know their excellent qualities," Martinez said. "But it is a risk to take players who have never played for the Devils before to a big tournament and expect them to be ready to perform."

"Vertonghen has important role"

Who will obviously be there in Qatar (unless he gets injured) is Jan Vertonghen. Even though he and Anderlecht are not doing well at the moment. "Jan and Toby (Alderweireld, at Antwerp, ed.) have good and bad days like other players. That's football. I don't really look at current situation with their team. What matters to me is that they both have an important role at their club, in difficult and demanding projects."

"Jan could have stayed at Benfica with a team playing Champions League. He would have played his games, but then you are not in a situation where you have to be at your sharpest. Both Jan and Toby will put that experience to good use at the national team."