Kraay questions Vanaken omission from Belgium's World Cup squad

Hans Kraay Jr. has questioned Belgium’s World Cup squad selection after the Red Devils’ disappointing group-stage results. The pundit highlighted the absence of Club Brugge midfielder Hans Vanaken from the starting line-up in matches against Egypt and Iran.

Kraay, whose wife has also lost faith in Belgium’s World Cup performances, criticised the team’s lack of progress despite possessing a golden generation. “We’ve felt for twenty years that Belgium has a great generation that could win the World Cup, but it’s always a disappointment,” he told WK Praat.

The pundit specifically named Vanaken as the player missing from the starting XI. “I don’t have a season ticket at Club Brugge, but I watch Belgian football occasionally. Relatives of ours live two streets away from the Club Brugge stadium and they see Hans Vanaken every week. Hans Vanaken is, in my opinion, Belgium’s best player. And he’s not playing.”

Former Valencia midfielder Hedwiges Maduro, now a pundit, has praised Vanaken’s qualities. “He’s really very good. Such beautiful technique and he finishes well.” Kraay responded, “Isn’t he a great midfielder?”

Belgium finished their World Cup group stage with a 1-1 draw against Egypt and a 0-0 draw with Iran.