Belgium have named star striker Romelu Lukaku in their World Cup squad, a significant gamble by coach Rudi Garcia given the forward has played just an hour of competitive football this season.
Lukaku's injury-riddled season
The former Manchester United forward, who turned 33 this week, has spent two months rehabilitating a hamstring injury in Belgium. At Napoli, he has made just seven substitute appearances this season, scoring once in February. Despite this minimal game time, coach Rudi Garcia has gambled on Lukaku's fitness for the tournament, citing his role as the nation's leading scorer with 89 goals from 124 caps.
Belgium's World Cup group
Belgium will compete in Group G against Egypt, Iran and New Zealand. Lukaku's last international appearance was in a 4-3 home win over Wales during World Cup qualification last June.
Garcia has also called up promising attacker Matias Fernandez-Pardo as cover. The 21-year-old, born in Brussels to Italian and Spanish parents, previously played for Belgium at junior level. He initially chose to play for Spain in 2024 but then declined an under-20 call-up, now committing his international future to Belgium. His strong season at Lille sees him selected over Lois Openda, who has struggled for regular game time at Juventus.
Other fitness concerns and returns
Further fitness concerns surround Sporting defender Zeno Debast, injured in training, despite being a regular under Garcia. Conversely, the timely return of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from injury provides a welcome boost, dispelling speculation Garcia might opt for four goalkeepers in his 26-man selection.
The squad, announced during a lunchtime news bulletin on Belgian television on Friday, marks a fourth successive World Cup appearance for key figures Courtois, Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel.
Belgium squad in full
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Mike Penders (Racing Strasbourg)
Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Zeno Debast (Sporting Lisbon), Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton & Hove Albion), Koni De Winter (AC Milan), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Thomas Meunier (Lille), Nathan Ngoy (Lille), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge), Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli), Amadou Onana (Aston Villa), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Girona)
Forwards: Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Lille), Romelu Lukaku (Napoli), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Diego Moreira (Racing Strasbourg), Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)
