Penalty saviour Davy Roef omitted as Belgium eyes World Cup shoot‑outs

Belgium have omitted penalty specialist Davy Roef from their World Cup squad, sparking debate as the Red Devils head to the knockout stage in the United States, Mexico and Canada where shoot‑outs may decide their fate, with a record of thirteen league saves and recent European‑competition heroics.

Davy Roef has established himself as a penalty‑killer at KAA Gent. He stopped a decisive spot‑kick against KRC Genk, which secured a place in next season’s UEFA Conference League. His overall tally stands at thirteen saves in the Jupiler Pro League, two in the Conference League and two in the Belgian Cup final.

Gilles De Coster raised the possibility of Roef joining the World Cup squad, likening the debate to a “Tim Krul‑style” call‑up. He made the comment in 90 Minutes a few months ago.

The discussion positioned Roef alongside fellow specialist Jari De Busser as a potential third goalkeeper for Belgium. However, Thibaut Courtois remains the undisputed number one, and coach Rudi Garcia is unlikely to replace him with a penalty expert during a match.

In the Jupiler Pro League, Roef’s thirteen saved penalties top the list, edging out Sammy Bossut’s eleven for Zulte Waregem and Sinan Bolat’s eight. Dutoit and Penneteau complete the top five with seven each.

The Red Devils now face the knockout phase of the World Cup across the United States, Mexico and Canada, where matches can be decided by shoot‑outs. Their squad will therefore rely on Courtois rather than Roef’s specialist skill set.

The contrast between Roef’s statistical edge and his omission underscores the coaching staff’s preference for established experience over niche expertise. Belgium’s upcoming fixtures will test whether that gamble pays off.