Overview
- Tielemans will wear the armband for Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein after rotating captains in Garcia’s early games.
- De Bruyne, captain since March 2023 following Eden Hazard’s retirement, remains in the squad but no longer holds the role.
- Garcia emphasized consensus among staff and players in appointing the 28-year-old Aston Villa midfielder.
- Tielemans called the appointment a great honour and noted brief past captaincies at Anderlecht, Monaco and Leicester.
- Romelu Lukaku is absent as he continues injury recovery, while De Bruyne joined Napoli this summer after a decade at Manchester City.