Euro Countdown: Favourites Belgium Name Squad

Last updated : 17 May 2021 By Three Lions

Roberto Martinez has confirmed his 26-player squad he hopes will see Belgium live up to their favourites tag in the upcoming European Championships.

The number one ranked team in the world include plenty of well-known current and former Premier League stars in their ranks with Kevin de Bruyne of Manchester City, Leicester City's FA Cup winner Youri Tielemans and Inter Milan forward Romelu Lukaku among those in Martinez's group.

Belgium take on Russia, Denmark and Finland in the group stages of the competition.

England Badge with Three Lions logo

Dark horses Italy and England's opening opponents Croatia have also named their provisional squads with 33 in the Italian party (to be whittled down to 26) mainly drawn from the ranks of Serie A clubs.

Luka Modric heads the Croatia squad, the 35-year-old Real Madrid star heading in to what may be his last major international tournament.

"We have difficult opponents, but I believe in us. We are at our best when the going gets tough," coach Zlatko Dalic told the media in his homeland on Monday after naming the group he hopes can once again see the small nation firmly punching above their weight on the international stage.