Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has claimed that manager Roberto Martinez must change his tactics before the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Martinez’s side had no trouble in qualifying for the tournament as they breezed through their group with nine wins and one draw.

Their last defeat came in September 2016 – to Spain in a friendly – but De Bruyne insists they could be found out in Russia.

Belgium reached the quarter-finals in Brazil in 2014 but De Bruyne believes his side need to improve their game plan going forward.

They were held to a 3-3 draw by Mexico on Friday night and the Manchester City star believes improvements can be made in the tactics department.

He told Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Niewus: “Mexico were just tactically better.

Their system made our five defenders sit deep and we were swimming in midfield – it was five against seven.

“As long as we don’t have a good tactical system, we will have difficulties against countries like Mexico. It’s a pity that we have not yet found a solution.

“Of course we play with a system that is in principle very defensive but it is filled with many attacking players who want the ball.

“Then you have a bit of a problem, like against Mexico. It was a match in which we had very little possession and everyone in a system that doesn’t really fit.

“But eventually Martinez decides. I think the trainer has to find a solution so that we can avoid such situations in future.”

Martinez’s side are next in action on Tuesday when they take on Japan in a friendly while they can be backed at 13.00 to win the World Cup next summer.