Romelu Lukaku has been handed a start as Belgium take on Iran in the second of their World Cup group games tonight. The Red Devils will be looking to build on their 1-1 draw with Egypt in the opening group game, where Lukaku was called upon just after the hour to salvage a point.
Lukaku's Impact Off the Bench
While the Napoli forward did not get on the scoresheet against Egypt, he forced the own goal from Mohamed Hany within seconds of his introduction. Following an injury-hit season in Italy, Lukaku is not Rudi Garcia's favoured first-choice centre-forward at present, with Charles De Ketelaere leading the line against Egypt.
De Ketelaere's Fitness and Bench Role
De Ketelaere missed team training earlier this week and was spotted bandaged up, but he was expected to be available to face Iran and duly makes the bench. He was replaced by Lukaku in the draw against Egypt.
Doku Absent for Birth of Child
Jeremy Doku has taken over on the left wing from Eden Hazard, but is not in the matchday squad as he attends the birth of his first child.
De Bruyne and Courtois Anchor the Team
Kevin De Bruyne is still pulling the strings as the creative hub for the Red Devils. Thibaut Courtois is one of the old guard still kicking it between the sticks, while Thomas Meunier is another at right-back.
Defensive Changes and Midfield Setup
Otherwise, it is all change in defence, with the centre-backs Nathan Ngoy and Brandon Mechele keeping their places, though Maxime De Cuyper comes in in place of Timothy Castagne. Amadou Onana has dropped to the bench, too, while Youri Tielemans keeps his spot in the midfield pivot. Leandro Trossard operated off the right against Egypt to shoehorn him into the side; expect that to happen once more here.
Belgium XI and Substitutes
Belgium XI: Courtois, Mechele, De Cuyper, Meunier, Ngoy, De Bruyne, Tielemans, Saelemaekers, Raskin, Lukaku, Trossard. Substitutes: Lammens, Penders, Theate, Winter, Seys, Castagne, Witzel, Moreira, Vanaken, Onana, Lukebakio, De Ketelaere, Fernandez-Pardo.
Match Details
Date and time: 8pm BST on Sunday, June 21, 2026. Venue: Los Angeles Stadium. How to watch: ITV.
