SEATTLE: Belgium veteran Axel Witsel senses a renewed energy in his country’s World Cup squad, looking to put a disastrous tournament four years ago behind them and have an outside shot this time in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Few footballers at the World Cup have had as long an international career as the 37-year-old Witsel, who made his international debut in 2008 and is competing in his fourth World Cup this year. He was part of Belgium’s “golden generation” that reached the quarter-final in 2014 and semifinal in 2018 but also in the squad that crashed out in the first round in Qatar in 2022.
He announced his retirement from international football soon after but was then persuaded back for Euro 2024 where he served as cover and made the squad again for the World Cup.
“I’m really happy to be here. Not everyone gets the opportunity to take part in a fourth World Cup, and I’m proud of it,” he told reporters.
“When I look at this squad, maybe it’s comparable to 2014 in Brazil, with that mix of experienced players, the new generation, and the atmosphere we have within the group.
