Belgium coach Rudi Garcia has included Romelu Lukaku in the World Cup squad despite concerns about his fitness. Lukaku, who has only played 69 minutes this season due to injury, is expected to regain form with five weeks before the tournament begins.
Key points
Rudi Garcia named a 26-man squad for the World Cup.
Romelu Lukaku included despite being out of shape and injured.
Belgium kicks off against Egypt on June 15.
Mentioned in this story
Serie ARudi Garcia
BelgiumRomelu LukakuEgyptIran
Rudi Garcia named his 26-man Belgium squad for the World Cup on Friday (JOHN THYS)
Rudi Garcia named his 26-man Belgium squad for the World Cup on Friday (JOHN THYS)
(JOHN THYS/AFP/AFP)
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia named Romelu Lukaku in his World Cup squad on Friday despite saying Belgium's all-time record goalscorer was "out of shape".
Lukaku, who has scored 89 goals in 124 international appearances, has struggled for form and fitness at Serie A club Napoli this season.
The 33-year-old former Inter Milan and Chelsea forward has only played 69 minutes of first-team football in 2026 and is currently sidelined by a hip injury.
"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," Frenchman Garcia told reporters.
"We have five weeks to get him back to full fitness so that little by little he can help the team."
Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo was given a maiden call-up after opting to switch nationality, having previously played for Spain's Under-21s.
Lois Openda, who has played 33 times for Belgium, is a notable absentee after scoring just once in 24 Serie A appearances this season on loan at Juventus from RB Leipzig.
There are few other surprises in Garcia's 26-man squad, with Kevin De Bruyne, and all included.
Belgium kick off their World Cup campaign against in Seattle on June 15, before taking on and in Group G in Los Angeles and Vancouver respectively.
The Red Devils crashed out of the 2022 World Cup in the group stage, plagued by infighting as the 'golden generation' failed miserably in their final bid for a major title.
They were knocked out of Euro 2024 in the last 16 by after scraping through the group phase.
Former Napoli, Roma and Marseille boss Garcia was named coach in January 2025 after the sacking of Domenico Tedesco.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid/ESP), (Manchester United/ENG), (Chelsea/ENG)
Defenders: (Fulham/ENG), (Sporting/POR), Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton/ENG), (AC Milan/ITA), (Club Brugge), (Lille/FRA), (Lille/FRA), (Club Brugge), (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER)
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli/ITA), (Aston Villa/ENG), (Rangers/SCO), (Aston Villa/ENG), (Club Brugge), (Girona/ESP)
Forwards: (Atalanta/ITA), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City/ENG), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Lille/FRA), Romelu Lukaku (Napoli/ITA), (Benfica/POR), (Strasbourg/FRA), (AC Milan/ITA), (Arsenal/ENG)
bnl/jc/gj
Q&A
Why is Romelu Lukaku considered 'out of shape' for the World Cup?
Romelu Lukaku is deemed 'out of shape' due to limited playing time, having only participated in 69 minutes of football this season and currently recovering from a hip injury.
What are the key matches for Belgium in the World Cup group stage?
Belgium will face Egypt on June 15, followed by matches against Iran and New Zealand in Group G.
Who are the notable absentees from Belgium's World Cup squad?
Lois Openda is a notable absentee from the squad, having scored only once in 24 Serie A appearances this season.
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