Garcia excludes Openda and Sels from World Cup in 'heartbreaking' decision

Rudi Garcia confessed to experiencing a painful moment when finalizing his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup: the Belgium manager personally called Loïs Openda and Matz Sels to inform them they would not be part of the group, just days before the Red Devils’ first match against Egypt on Monday in Seattle.

“There’s the heartbreaking side of choosing the 26. I called Loïs Openda and Matz Sels to warn them they weren’t coming. If I let emotion take over, I’d pick them,” Garcia told L’Équipe. A statement that sums up the tension between human connection and sporting imperatives weighing on every manager approaching a major tournament.

Appointed to lead the Belgian national team in January 2025, Garcia has made the remobilization of the squad’s historic leaders the central axis of his early tenure. Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Romelu Lukaku each received his personal visit. “I visited them so they’d come back smiling, so they’d rediscover enjoyment in a defined project of play,” he explained.

The former Olympique de Marseille and Olympique Lyonnais manager openly assumes he chose Belgium largely to guide this generation toward an exit through the front door. “I want them to go out with their heads held high. They wanted to play one last major tournament. Perhaps even better than what they’ve done before, because it’s their last opportunity,” he stated.

To manage this group of experienced players, Garcia relies on what he describes as a “council of elders” composed of Courtois, Lukaku, De Bruyne, Thomas Meunier, Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana and Axel Witsel. “You always have to be honest and transparent with great players. Be more demanding with them. With Kevin, for example, we discuss the pitch a lot. I consult them, I ask for their opinion,” he added, emphasizing the relationship of mutual trust he says he has established since his arrival.

Belgium enters the competition Monday evening in Seattle against Mohamed Salah’s Egypt for their first group-stage match of the 2026 World Cup.