Zeno Koen Debast

ANALYSIS
Debast sustained the injury to his femoral attachment in the final stretch of the season and was initially ruled out until July, making his inclusion in coach Rudi Garcia's 26-man squad a bold decision that raised considerable discussion. Garcia opted to keep the Sporting Portugal center-back with the group with the objective of having him ready for the knockout rounds, a calculation made easier by the fact that this World Cup is the first to feature a round of 16. Since arriving at the Seattle Sounders' performance center in Renton, Debast has been working individually on his fitness, having been spotted on an elliptical bike outdoors while his teammates trained. The federation confirmed the decision to keep him with the squad was made in agreement with the technical and medical staff, giving Belgium every opportunity to have one of their best central defensive options available for the knockout stage should they advance from the group.