Belgium have included striker Romelu Lukaku in their squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite concerns over his fitness following a lengthy injury layoff.
The Napoli forward has endured a difficult 2025/26 campaign, making only seven substitute appearances and playing just 69 minutes after spending two months recovering from a hamstring injury.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia admitted the 33-year-old is still short of full match fitness but insisted the striker remains vital to the national team.
Speaking according to BBC Sport, Garcia said: “Romelu has recovered, but he’s out of shape, and I’m not sure he’ll be able to start the matches.
“But he’s our best striker, Belgium’s all-time leading scorer.”
The coach also revealed that Belgium’s technical crew would carefully manage Lukaku’s recovery before the tournament begins.
“We have five weeks to get him back to full fitness so that little by little he can help the team,” Garcia said.
Lukaku heads into what will be his fourth consecutive World Cup as Belgium’s all-time leading scorer with 89 goals in 124 international appearances.
The squad also includes experienced stars such as Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel.
Belgium handed a place to Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo after he recently committed his international future to the country.
Fernandez-Pardo replaces Lois Openda, who has struggled for regular playing time at club level.
Sporting defender Zeno Debast was also included despite recently suffering an injury during training.
Belgium will compete in Group G alongside Egypt, Iran and New Zealand at the tournament, which will be staged across the United States and Canada.
Belgium’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad
Goalkeepers
Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
Senne Lammens (Royal Antwerp)
Mike Penders (Genk/Chelsea)
Defenders
Timothy Castagne (Fulham)
