Belgium footballer banned from playing against Spain in World Cup quarter final
Belgium have been handed a fresh blow in the build-up to their World Cup quarter-final clash, as one of their defenders has been ruled as unable to play.
The Red Devils will take on reigning European champions Spain tonight (10 July), with the winner facing France in the semi-final, and Rudi Garcia's side are facing another setback just hours before kick-off.
It has been revealed that Zeno Debast has been declared unfit to play, following a judgement from his club Sporting Lisbon about his fitness.
"Zeno Debast will not be available for the quarter final. His club, Sporting CP, have informed the player that they did not consider him to be medically fit to play matches," a spokesperson for the Royal Belgian Football Association said.
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Debast is understood to be dealing with a thigh injury which he picked up prior to the World Cup, during a match for the Portuguese side in May. Despite the injury, he was included in Belgium's 26-man squad and has been training alone throughout the tournament.
Meanwhile, The Athletic reported that Sporting Lisbon had been in regular contact with the Belgian FA and with the two sides scheduled to meet in Los Angeles today to discuss the centre-back's fitness.
The statement went on to suggest there had been a disagreement between club and country over the 22-year-old's fitness, adding: "This assessment differs from that of the Red Devils’ medical staff, as well as FIFA’s medical and insurance authorities.
"Zeno is currently training individually under the supervision of the RBFA’s Performance Department."
A part of the 2022 World Cup squad in Qatar, Debast has 26 caps for his national team.
Speaking about his recovery, Debast previously told fans that he'd received results from a 'positive' MRI scan and was looking forward to returning to training.
"Everything is going as planned. I feel good," he said.
"As a player, it is not easy to watch your team train and play without being able to participate.
"But, I am grateful to be here and to be able to work on my return here."
Belgium will also be without Amadou Onana, as the midfielder ruptured his ACL during the team's 4-1 win over the United States.
World Cup 2026 fixture schedule and UK kick off times
Friday, 10 July
Quarter-final - Match 98: Match 93 winners vs Match 94 winners, kick-off 8pm - Los Angeles, US
Saturday, 11 July
Quarter-final - Match 99: Norway vs England, kick-off 10pm - Miami, US
Sunday, 12 July
Quarter-final - Match 100: Match 95 winners vs Match 96 winners, kick-off 2am - Kansas City, US
Tuesday, 14 July
Semi-final - Match 101: Match 97 winners vs Match 98 winners, kick-off 8pm - Arlington, US
Wednesday, 15 July
Semi-final - Match 102: Match 99 winners vs Match 100 winners, kick-off 8pm - Atlanta, US
Saturday, 18 July
Third Place Playoff - Match 103: Match 101 losers vs Match 102 losers, kick-off 10pm - Miami, US
Sunday, 19 July
Final - Match 104: Match 101 winners vs Match 102 winners, kick-off 8pm - New Jersey, US
Brenna Cooper