Tielemans Pulls Out After Being Named in Starting XI
Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans was forced to withdraw from the starting lineup just before the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying match against Spain on July 11, 2026. The Aston Villa player was originally named in the first eleven but suffered a muscle injury during the pre-match warm-up at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.
The Belgian Football Union confirmed that Tielemans felt a sudden tightness in his right hamstring while sprinting during warm-up drills. Team doctor Geert Declercq assessed him and ruled him unfit to play, prompting an emergency change.
Last-Minute Replacement and Impact
Coach Domenico Tedesco replaced Tielemans with Leicester City's Dennis Praet, who was initially listed as a substitute. The change was made approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled kickoff, causing a delay as the team sheet had to be updated and communicated to match officials.
According to sources within the Belgian camp, Tielemans was visibly disappointed but accepted the medical decision to avoid aggravating the injury. Belgium went on to lose the match 2-1 to Spain, with goals from Lamine Yamal and Álvaro Morata, while Romelu Lukaku scored Belgium's lone goal.
Injury History and Recovery Outlook
Tielemans has had recurring hamstring issues over the past year. He missed several matches for Aston Villa in the 2025-26 season due to similar problems. The Belgian federation stated that he will undergo further scans on July 12 to determine the severity of the strain. Early assessments suggest he may be sidelined for 10 to 14 days, putting his availability for the next qualifier against Scotland on July 15 in doubt.
"It's a shame because Youri was in great form," said Tedesco in the post-match press conference. "We will monitor his recovery closely. The medical team will decide if he can travel with the squad for the Scotland game."
World Cup Qualifying Implications
Belgium currently sits second in Group E of UEFA qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, three points behind Spain after this defeat. With only the group winner guaranteed a spot, every match is critical. Tielemans' absence could be a significant blow, as he has been a key playmaker, contributing 3 assists in the qualifying campaign so far.
The Belgian squad will remain in Brussels for training before departing for Glasgow on July 13. Tedesco is expected to call up an additional midfielder if Tielemans is ruled out for an extended period.
