Lukaku included in Belgium World Cup squad despite injury troubles
TL;DR
Romelu Lukaku has been included in Belgium's World Cup squad despite recent injury issues. He will join key players like Thibaut Courtois and Kevin De Bruyne for the tournament starting June 15.
Key points
- Romelu Lukaku included in Belgium's World Cup squad
- Lukaku has struggled with injuries at Napoli
- Belgium begins World Cup against Egypt on June 15
- Thibaut Courtois and Kevin De Bruyne also in the squad
- Belgium finished third in the 2018 World Cup
Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku was included in Belgium's World Cup squad on Friday after appearing to win his fitness battle.
Lukaku is set to join goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and midfielders Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel at a fourth World Cup.
Lukaku has struggled for action with Napoli this term due to an array of knocks and Real Madrid's Courtois has also had injury issues.
Coach Rudi Garcia overlooked 17-year-old midfielder Nathan De Cat and Lois Openda, who has often been on the bench at Juventus.
Belgium, third at the 2018 World Cup, begin Group G against Egypt on June 15 before taking on Iran and New Zealand in North America. They have warm-up games against Croatia on June 2 and four days later against Tunisia.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Senne Lammens, Mike Penders
Defenders: Timothy Castagne, Zeno Debast, Maxim De Cupyer, Koni De Winter, Brandon Mechele, Thomas Meunier, Nathan Ngoy, Joaquin Seys, Arthur Theate
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne, Amadou Onana, Nicolas Raskin, Youri Tielemans, Hans Vanaken, Axel Witsel
Forwards: Charles De Ketelaere, Jeremy Doku, Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Romelu Lukaku, Dodi Lukebakio, Diego Moreira, Alexis Saelemaekers, Leandro Trossard
Q&A
Why was Romelu Lukaku included in Belgium's World Cup squad despite injuries?
Romelu Lukaku was included in the squad after appearing to win his fitness battle, despite struggling for action with Napoli due to injuries.
When does Belgium's World Cup campaign start and who do they play first?
Belgium's World Cup campaign starts on June 15 against Egypt in Group G.