AC Milan striker Divock Origi was not included in Belgium’s squad for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup scheduled to kick off on Sunday, November 20, 2022.
According to the 26-member list seen by TeamKenya.co.ke, head coach Roberto Martinez went with four forwards including Brighton & Hove Albion attacker Leandro Trossard and Romelu Lukaku.
Openda Vitesse, Michy Batshuayi, and Galatasaray star Dries Mertens have also been included in the squad.
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Origi, who has Kenyan roots, made his debut for the Belgium national team in 2014 and went on to play his first World Cup that year.
The 27-year-old played a crucial role at the 2014 World Cup, scoring a goal that helped Belgium to advance to the round of 16.
At the 2018 tournament, the AC Milan forward was snubbed by Martinez.
Origi enjoyed a successful spell with Liverpool between 2018 and July 2022 where he helped the Reds lift the English Premier League title during the 2019/2020 season after a long hiatus.
Origi scored crucial goals including one in the UEFA Champions League final to help Liverpool lift the coveted title.
After ditching Liverpool for AC Milan, he struggled to find game time due to the presence of star forwards at the Italian club.
Divock’s father Michael Okoth Origi used to play for the Kenyan national team Harambee Stars. Okoth also featured for a number of clubs including Shabana FC and Kenya Breweries before moving to Belgium.
In Belgium, Micheal featured for several clubs including KV Oostende and KRC Genk before hanging his boots.
Here is the list for the Belgium squad:
Goalkeepers
Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Koen Casteels (VfL Wolfsburg), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge).
Defenders
Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund), Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Wout Faes (Leicester), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Timothy Castagne (Leicester), Toby Alderweireld (Royal Antwerp), Arthur Theate (Rennes).
Midfielders
Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin De Bruyne (Man City), Youri Tielemans (Leicester), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Leander Dendoncker (Aston Villa), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Amadou Onana (Everton), Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid).
Forwards
Charles De Ketelaere (AC Milan), Jeremy Doku (Rennes), Eden Hazard (Real Madrid), Leandro Trossard (Brighton), Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan), Michy Batshuayi (Fenerbahce), Lois Openda (Lens), Dries Mertens (Galatasaray)