Belgium's Fresh Faces: Young Guns Get Maiden Call-Ups

García calls up trio, Godts, De Cat & Stassin get Belgium debuts

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia names trio of young talents Mika Godts, Nathan de Cat & Lucas Stassin in squad for friendlies vs US & Mexico.

Godts, De Cat & Stassin join Belgium squad for US & Mexico friendlies...

Ajax's Mika Godts is getting a big opportunity - he's received his first call-up for Belgium's national team for the March friendlies under Rudi Garcia. The 20-year-old winger has been on fire for Ajax, scoring 14 goals and racking up 9 assists this season.

Godts' impressive form has caught the eye of top clubs, including Manchester United, who've reportedly made contact with Ajax. With his stats, it's no surprise United are interested - he's the Eredivisie's most valuable player in terms of goal contributions. 

Godts has convinced coach García to give him a chance in the upcoming friendlies against the US and Mexico. García praised Godts, saying, “His stats and performances are impressive for a team that isn’t firing on all cylinders. He’s still young; this was the moment to see him in action,” highlighting his potential.

Godts had previously refused to join Belgium's Under-21 squad, but his recent form has earned him a spot. 

Rudi García is shaking things up with some exciting call-ups - 17-year-old Anderlecht star Nathan de Cat and Saint-Étienne striker Lucas Stassin get their first Belgium squad nods. De Cat's a force to be reckoned with, standing 1.92m tall and already a mainstay in Anderlecht's midfield.

Stassin's form has earned him the call-up, with 7 Ligue 2 goals this season, including 3 in his last 3 games. He joined Saint-Étienne from Westerlo in 2024 and is making waves. 

García is keen to see Lucas Stassin in action, saying, “He’s just been promoted to Ligue 1 with Saint-Etienne and plays regularly.” The young striker's form has earned him a maiden call-up.

Some big names missed out, including Wout Faes (AS Monaco), Romeo Lavia (Chelsea), and Charles Vanhoutte (Nice). Belgium's friendlies are set: they'll face the US on March 28th in Atlanta, GA, and Mexico on March 31st in Chicago, IL. 

“We mainly selected players who featured in most of the qualifying matches, but at the same time, this is also the last chance for a few new – and particularly young – lads to show what they’re made of,” García said during Friday's press conference.

“Talent knows no age,” García said about De Cat. “I gave Eden Hazard his debut at Lille at a young age and did the same with Rayan Cherki at Lyon. De Cat is very athletic and has already started 34 matches for Anderlecht this season. To make the national team, you have to play.”

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest), Maarten Vandevoordt (RB Leipzig)

Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Zeno Debast (Sporting CP), Maxim De Cuyper (Club Brugge), Koni De Winter (Milan), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Thomas Meunier (Lille), Nathan Ngoy (Lille), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge), Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Midfielders: Kevin de Bruyne (Napoli), Nathan De Cat (Anderlecht), Amadou Onana (Aston Villa), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Sevilla)

Forwards: Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Mika Godts (Ajax), Romelu Lukaku (Napoli), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Loïs Openda (Juventus), Alexis Saelemaekers (Milan), Lucas Stassin (Saint-Étienne), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)

28 Devils ready for some march Madness. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/51uzCid2cS

— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) March 20, 2026