Arne Engels Misses Belgium World Cup Squad After Garcia Silence

Arne Engels was left out of Belgium's World Cup squad and said he had not spoken to Rudi Garcia about the decision. The Celtic midfielder called missing a major tournament a shame and said it is now on him to prove he belongs there.

Engels and Belgium

“It's a shame. You always want to be there to represent your country, especially at a major tournament. It is now up to me to show that I am worthy of being part of it,” Engels said. He added: “Hopefully, I will get a chance in the future to fight my way back in.”

The omission comes after a limited run of Belgium involvement. Engels has four caps, all of them earned in the Nations League in 2024, and his last 90-minute outing for the national team came in a defeat to Israel. That leaves him outside the squad after a period in which he had not been in Belgium selection since that match.

Rudi Garcia and September

Engels said the lack of contact was part of the frustration. “I have actually never had contact with him (Garcia). Although I do think that is the custom. That is probably the case with the important players,” he said.

He also pointed to the next opening in the international calendar. “And as I said, it is up to me to prove myself and seize every opportunity with both hands. There are new chances in September. But first, I think the Red Devils are going to have a fantastic tournament,” he said. The message is plain: the door is not closed, but his place will have to be earned again.

Celtic Title Charge

Engels’ Belgium setback lands after a stronger spell at Celtic, where he returned from injury and played a big part in the late charge towards the title. He is a £11 million midfielder, and his club form has put him back into the picture even as the international snub leaves him waiting for another chance.

At Celtic, he said the season carried its own pressure. “It was a tough season for us,” Engels said. “Everyone had basically written us off. But we did everything we could to still win the title.”

He added that the title was secured at home in front of Celtic’s own fans, calling that “all the more special,” and praised Martin O'Neill and his staff for providing “calm, structure, and a good vibe.” Engels went further on the Celtic boss: “I can only say positive things about him. I have no words for what he has done for us and the club. He is a very special man.”