Ngoy set for World Cup debut as Belgium land in quiet Seattle

Quiet Seattle awaits the Red Devils

Belgium play their first World Cup match Monday in Seattle, but the host city is not exactly buzzing yet. Reports from the ground describe a city still waking up to the tournament, with little visible World Cup atmosphere. “It will have to come from us, the Belgians,” one observer noted (4). The squad flew in Thursday and trained at their base, with Thibaut Courtois addressing the media later in the day (1). The nine-hour time difference from Brussels remains a challenge – the Belgian FA has installed special lighting in the team hotel to help the squad adjust.

Ngoy set for debut as Debast replacement

Nathan Ngoy, who turns 24 today, is in line to make his World Cup debut Monday against Egypt. The defender replaces Zeno Debast in the starting XI, and those who know him are backing him to deliver. “The sky is the limit for him,” a source close to the camp said (3). Ngoy was once deemed surplus at Anderlecht. Now he is starting a World Cup opener.

Young keeper's bold request to train with the Devils

Casper Van Hemelryck-Bray, a young Belgian goalkeeper at Roda JC, took an unusual route during the build-up. Finding himself in America anyway, he reached out to Belgian FA director Vincent Mannaert with a straightforward pitch: let me train as a fourth keeper with the squad. “Since I was already in America, I thought…” he explained (2) (5). The Seattle Sounders' Max Anchor was also part of training sessions, but Van Hemelryck-Bray's self-styled application is the story fans are talking about.