Arne Engels has missed out on Belgium's World Cup squad, a setback the Celtic midfielder said he felt sharply because he always wants to represent his country at a major tournament. Engels, 21, said he had not had any contact with Belgium boss Rudi Garcia and must now wait for another chance to force his way back into contention.
"It's a shame. You always want to be there to represent your country, especially at a major tournament. It is now up to me to show that I am worthy of being part of it," Engels said. He added that he hoped to get another chance in the future to fight his way back in and that "there are new chances in September."
The omission marks another pause in an international career that has so far been brief. Engels has four Belgium caps, all of them earned in the Nations League in 2024, and his last appearance came when he played 90 minutes in a defeat to Israel. Since then, he has not broken back into the squad, even after returning from injury and helping Celtic finish the season strongly.
That late surge mattered because Celtic's title defence had looked vulnerable before the turnaround. Engels said the team had been written off, but still found a way to finish on top. "It was a tough season for us," he said. "Everyone had basically written us off. But we did everything we could to still win the title. That makes it all the more special to be able to do it at home in front of our own fans."
He said the support at Celtic Park gave the side an extra lift in the playoff games after the split. Engels also pointed to the impact of Martin O'Neill, who helped steady the dressing room during the run-in. "He and his staff have provided calm, structure, and a good vibe," Engels said, adding: "I can only say positive things about him. I have no words for what he has done for us and the club. He is a very special man."
For Engels, the message is straightforward: club success has kept his name in the conversation, but Belgium now wants more than promise. The £11 million midfielder has shown he can contribute at Celtic after his injury layoff, yet his route back to the national team depends on turning that form into something Garcia cannot ignore.
