Is Leandro Trossard playing tonight for Belgium? World Cup depth chart, team news and more

When discussing pre-tournament World Cup favourites, not many people are mentioning Belgium, but could they actually be very strong in North America this summer? Well, the majority of the Red Devils' golden generation have now moved on, albeit Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, who have 354 caps between them, all remain key figures.

Among the new faces, even though he is 31, could this be a big tournament for Leandro Trossard? The Arsenal attacker opened the scoring during a friendly demolition of Tunisia in Brussels earlier this month, taking his tally to 12 international goals. So, could he shine stateside this summer?

Is Leandro Trossard expected to play for Belgium tonight?

Cutting straight to the chase, the expectation is that Trossard will be included in Belgium's XI vs Egypt. He has featured in 13 of the Red Devils' last 14 competitive matches, starting 11 of them, a regular since Rudi Garcia replaced replaced Domenico Tedesco in January of last year.

Under Garcia, Belgium have almost always operated out of a back four, albeit they did experiment with a three against Croatia in Rijeka earlier this month. Nevertheless, Kevin De Bruyne will be the number ten with Jérémy Doku on the left, while Charles De Ketelaere is expected to get the nod over Romelu Lukaku as the number nine, as the latter is still rebuilding his fitness.

Belgium's attacker depth chart at the World Cup

This leaves only the right-winger spot up for grabs. With Trossard injured, Dodi Lukébakio was deployed there for March's friendlies, scoring twice off the bench during a 5-2 hammering of the United States, before bagging the equaliser against Mexico at Soldier Field three days later. However, back in the fold, Trossard is set to be the starter on the right.

What to watch for if Trossard plays tonight

This is obviously interesting for Arsenal fans given that Trossard has very rarely been deployed on the right by Mikel Arteta. The vast majority of his minutes for the Gunners have come on the left, as well as a few appearances in an emergency as a centre-forward. Doku's form, both for Manchester City and at international level, means his name is written in permanent marker.

Meantime, Trossard can still contribute from the opposite side, on target during November's crucial qualification victory over Wales in Cardiff, ghosting in and finishing smartly in trademark fashion. So, will we see more of this in the Pacific Northwest? Well, the expectation is that opponents Egypt will defend in a low block, tasking Belgium to break them down. Thus, Trossard's ability to operate in tight spaces and create a shooting opportunity out of nothing could be invaluable against the Pharaohs.

Belgium team news

Garcia is expected to name, potentially, the same XI that smashed Tunisia 5-0 at Stade Roi Baudouin on 6 June. The only potential changes could come at the back, where Maxim De Cuyper might displace Timothy Castagne on the left, while Arthur Theate might come in for inexperienced Nathan Ngoy in the middle, we shall see in Seattle.

Belgium predicted lineup

• Thibaut Courtois

• Thomas Meunier, Brandon Mechele, Arthur Theate & Maxim De Cuyper.

• Youri Tielemans & Amadou Onana.

• Leandro Trossard, Kevin De Bruyne & Jérémy Doku.

• Charles De Ketelaere.

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