The Belgian link at the World Cup today and tomorrow

OTHER At 5 pm, host country Russia and Saudi Arabia will kick off the World Cup. Tomorrow there will be three games with Egypt - Uruguay, Morocco - Iran and Portugal - Spain. Three players immediately come into action with a past at Anderlecht. Furthermore, a number of players also have a link with Anderlecht or Belgium.


With Saudi Arabia, Osama Hawsawi normally wears the captain's armband against Russia tonight. Anderlecht got Hawsawi away from Al-Hilal in 2012. His time in Beglium wasn't really a success. He came no further than one performance in the competition and one in the cup.

In November he returned to his home country, where he went to play for Al-Ahli. Since 2016 he plays again for Al-Hilal.

Remarkable: besides Osama, national coach Juan Antonio Pizzi selected two other Hawsawi's who play a central role in the defense: Omar and Motaz.

At opponent Russia Club Brugge goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov is in the selection.

At 2 pm tomorrow afternoon Egypt plays against Uruguay. The deadly striker duo Edinson Cavani - Luis Suarez takes on former Anderlecht player Mahmoud 'Trezeguet' Hassan. Trezeguet played eleven games in Belgium for Anderlecht and 28 games for Mouscron. This season he played for the Turkish Kasimpasa, who used his purchase option and will probably resell him this summer.

In the Egyptian selection is also Shikabala, the protagonist of a purple-white transfersoap in 2010 and 2011.

At 5pm, Morocco plays against Iran. In the North African team plays ex-golden boot Mbark Boussoufa. Also former transfer target Hakim Ziyech and Mehdi Carcela (Standard) and Nabil Dirar (ex-Diegem, Westerlo and Club Brugge) are in the Moroccan selection. Reza Ghoochanejhad (ex-STVV and Standard) plays with the opponent.