​Why Youri Tielemans isn’t playing today for Belgium with late injury news originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Youri Tielemans has already shown during the 2026 FIFA World Cup that he can be a hero for Belgium. Yet on Friday he will not be starting, delivering a last-minute shock to one of the Red Devils’ most important players.
When the initial team sheets were released, Tielemans appeared to be included as expected. But at kickoff he will not be on the pitch against Spain for the World Cup quarterfinal. The midfielder picked up an injury during warmups and had to be pulled from the lineup. Hans Vanaken steps in to replace him in the Belgium midfield. It remains unclear whether Tielemans will have any chance of entering the match as a substitute, and the late scratch from the starting XI makes it unlikely.
Vanaken, a 33-year-old midfielder standing 6-foot-5, is plying his club football in Belgium with Club Brugge. Given his age, the late call-up isn’t completely shocking, but this will be the biggest stage of his career to date. Vanaken has contributed a goal and two assists so far at this World Cup, and Belgium will be hoping he can rise to the occasion.
This development comes as part of a broader World Cup narrative, with various teams facing last-minute changes and strategic reshuffles as injuries and form dictate lineup decisions on the day of matches. The decision to start Vanaken in place of Tielemans adds an additional layer of intrigue to Belgium’s tactical approach against a formidable Spain side.
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In the broader context of the tournament, Belgium will need to lean on Vanaken’s versatility and experience to compensate for the absence of Tielemans, while Spain will look to capitalize on any gaps in midfield control. The match promises to be a compelling clash as Belgium seeks to advance further, and Vanaken will be tasked with delivering a standout performance on the sport’s biggest stage.