World Cup group G: Belgium vs. Panama team news, kick-off time and TV channel

Belgium vs. Panama (Monday 4pm, live on BBC One)

The Red Devils once again go into a major tournament as one of the dark horses to lift the trophy and head coach Roberto Martinez believes that if they play as a team they could well contend in Russia.

With stars such as Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois in the squad there’s pressure on Belgium’s “golden generation” to succeed.

Belgium go into the World Cup unbeaten in 16 matches and Martinez told ESPN: “This is a group that has been playing a long time together. You could go back to 2008 and the Olympic Games in Beijing, and going through two big tournaments, becoming the No. 1 [ranked] team in the world, now becoming the first European team to qualify for the World Cup. These little nice stories allow them to keep progressing. 

“Since the first friendly against Spain [which Belgium lost, in September 2016], I think we’ve been unbeaten in 16. If we could become a team, with all the individuals that we have, it’s going to be really enjoyable to watch what we can achieve.”

Belgium’s first group G match is against Panama at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi on Monday (4pm, live on BBC One). Group G’s other match will see England take on Tunisia at the Volgograd Arena (7pm, live on BBC One).

Belgium vs. Panama team news

Chelsea playmaker Hazard should be fit to play after picking up a knock in their final warm-up match against Costa Rica but according to Sky Sports defenders Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen will miss the Panama clash. Bleacher Report says Celtic’s Dedryck Boyata could start in defence alongside Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld.

Panama are making their debut at the Fifa World Cup and The Daily Telegraph reports that head coach Hernan Dario Gomez should be able to call upon midfielder Jose Luis Rodriguez, who has recovered after limping out of a training session. Captain Roman Torres should also be fit after a hamstring injury. Sky Sports says Gabriel Torres and veteran Blas Perez will “battle for a starting spot up front”. 

Possible starting XIs and formations

How the two teams could line up for the group G clash in Sochi, according to Fifa.com.

• Belgium (3-4-2-1): Thibaut Courtois; Jan Vertonghen, Dedryck Boyata, Toby Alderweireld; Axel Witsel, Kevin De Bruyne, Yannick Carrasco, Thomas Meunier; Dries Mertens, Eden Hazard; Romelu Lukaku 
• Panama (4-4-1-1): Jaime Penedo; Roman Torres, Fidel Escobar, Eric Davis, Michael Murillo; Gabriel Gomez, Anibal Godoy, Armando Cooper, Edgar Barcenas, Jose Luis Rodriguez; Blas Perez

Group G fixtures and live TV channels (all times UK)

• 18 June: Belgium vs. Panama (4pm, BBC); Tunisia vs. England (7pm, BBC) 
• 23 June: Belgium vs. Tunisia (1pm, BBC) 
• 24 June: England vs. Panama (1pm, BBC) 
• 28 June: England vs. Belgium (7pm, ITV); Panama vs. Tunisia (7pm, ITV4)