De kogel is door de kerk: Jan Vertonghen reist dan toch niét mee naar het WK voetbal in de VS – Nieuwsblad

Jan Vertonghen will not be part of the Belgian national team traveling to the FIFA World Cup in the United States, as reported by Nieuwsblad on May 8, 2026.

The decision settles a period of uncertainty regarding whether the veteran defender would be included in the squad for the tournament. The reporting indicates that a final determination has been reached, confirming that Vertonghen will not participate in the competition.

Vertonghen has served as a cornerstone of the Belgian defense for over a decade, providing experienced leadership during the era when the national team reached its highest global rankings. His absence from the roster for the upcoming World Cup represents a definitive shift in the composition of the Belgian backline.

The decision arrives as the Belgian squad prepares for the logistical and competitive challenges of the tournament hosted across North America. Without Vertonghen, the coaching staff will rely on a new generation of defenders to manage the defensive duties during the group stages and potential knockout rounds.

The exclusion of the veteran center-back marks a transition for the national team, as it moves further away from the core group of players that defined its most successful period. The focus now shifts to how the squad will integrate younger talent to fill the void left by one of its most experienced players.