Wilmots keeps plans under wraps

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots is keeping his cards close to his chest ahead of Tuesday’s FIFA World Cup opener against Algeria.

Wilmots’ men kick off their campaign against Africa’s top-ranked side, before coming up against Russia and South Korea in Group H.

However, when asked whether he had already settled on his starting line-up for the match, Wilmots is quoted by Sportwereld as saying: “Of course. But I do not want you to know the team.

“I’ve also been through, as an analyst, the guesswork for the team. Now it’s up to you to guess.

“This is a World Cup, I want to play hide and seek.”

Belgium are considered by many as dark horses in Brazil, and Wilmots insists nobody is assured of their place in his first-choice XI.

“I’ve seen what you have seen,” he added. “Nobody is guaranteed to start the game, even Hazard. Each player is perfectly replaceable.”