Belgium star banned from facing Spain by own club – hours before World Cup quarter-final clash

Zeno Debast appears to have been blocked from playing for Belgium against Spain by his club Sporting Lisbon.

Belgium face their European rivals Spain in the World Cup quarter-finals tonight, live on talkSPORT, with kick-off set for 8pm UK time.

AFP

Centre-back Debast has not made a single appearance for his country throughout the tournament amid an apparent leg injury.

He was an unused substitute during the 4-1 win against the United States in the last-16, and looks likely to miss another match later today.

In a statement from the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), as per The Athletic, Sporting have deemed him unfit to play.

Belgium statement

However, Belgium have challenged their assessment on his fitness, as they said: “Zeno Debast will not be available for the quarter-finals.

“His club, Sporting CP, informed the player that they did not consider him medically fit to play matches.

“This assessment differs from that of the Red Devils’ medical staff, as well as FIFA’s medical and insurance authorities.

“Zeno is currently training individually under the supervision of the RBFA’s Performance Department.”

Debast picked up his leg injury during the latter stages of the season with Sporting.

He missed their last two league matches, as well as a shock 2-1 defeat to second-tier side S.C.U. Torreense in the Taca de Portugal final.

According to The Athletic, Sporting and the RBFA have scheduled a meeting before the match against Spain to review his fitness.

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Belgium success at the World Cup

After failing to make it out of the groups in 2022, Belgium needed to show significant improvement this summer.

Draws against Egypt and Iran marked a concerning start to their 2026 campaign, but they thrashed New Zealand 5-1 to top Group G.

Belgium then needed a Youri Tielemans penalty in the final moments of extra time to beat Senegal 3-2 in the last 32.

A last-16 clash against co-hosts USA already had plenty of intrigue before the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun.

The American forward was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but had his one-match ban suspended for a year.

talkSPORT reported that United States president Donald Trump had called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the ban.

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Belgium failed in their appeal against the decision, but ultimately had the last laugh as they thrashed their opponents.

Charles De Ketelaere netted two goals, with Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku scoring the others to send them into the last eight.

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