World Cup: Bundesliga star again on the bench for Belgium vs. Iran
| Belgium fans. | Photo: Alex Grimm / Getty Images. |
Eintracht Frankfurt defender Arthur Theate will once again start on the bench in Belgium's second World Cup game vs. Iran.
Coach Rudi Gracia is instead counting on multiple former Bundesliga stars to get Belgium a much needed win: Kevin De Bruyne (Werder Bremen & VfL Wolfsburg) and Thomas Meunier (BVB) are in the starting XI.
Axel Witsel (BVB) and Dodi Lukebakio (Fortuna Düsseldorf, VfL Wolfsburg & Hertha BSC Berlin) will also start from the bench.
Both countries have startet their World Cup 2026 campaign with a draw, making this match-up even more important. Who can get the win? Here are the confirmed lineups of both sides:
Confirmed World Cup lineups: Belgium vs. Iran
Belgium (4-2-3-1): Courtois - Meunier, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper - Raskin, Tielemans - Saelemaekers, De Bruyne, Trossard - Lukaku
Iran (5-4-1): Beiranvand - Hardani, Rezaeian, Khalilzadeh, Kanaani, Hajsafi - Yousefi, Mohebi, Ezatolahi, Nemati - Taremi
