News Focus
- Romelu Lukaku included in Belgium’s 26-man World Cup squad despite fitness concerns
- The Napoli forward has played only 60 minutes of club football in the 2025-26 season
- 33-year-old has spent two months recovering from a hamstring problem in Belgium
- Lille striker Matias Fernandez-Pardo switches allegiance from Spain to earn debut call-up
- Belgium drawn in Group G alongside Egypt, Iran and New Zealand
Belgium manager Rudi Garcia has gambled on the fitness of Romelu Lukaku by selecting the injury-plagued striker for the upcoming World Cup. The Napoli centre-forward joins the 26-man roster even though he has spent nearly the entire club season on the sidelines.
The 33-year-old, who recently celebrated his birthday, has made just seven brief substitute appearances for his Italian club this term. He has spent the past eight weeks undergoing rehabilitation for a hamstring issue in his homeland. Despite these setbacks, Garcia has shown faith in the country’s record goalscorer.
Lukaku has netted 89 times in 124 caps for the Red Devils. His most recent international outing came against Wales last June. This tournament will mark his fourth successive World Cup appearance. He will link up with seasoned campaigners Thibaut Courtois, Kevin de Bruyne and Axel Witsel.
Garcia has also handed a first senior invitation to Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo. The 21-year-old, born in Brussels to Italian and Spanish parents, previously featured for Belgium at junior levels. He pledged his future to Spain in 2025 but did not earn a senior cap. He now returns to the Belgian fold as backup.
The coach has omitted Lois Openda after the Juventus attacker struggled for minutes this season. However, Sporting defender Zeno Debast retains his place despite picking up a knock in training.
Belgium will face Egypt, Iran and New Zealand in Group G. Their fixtures will take place across stadiums in the United States and Canada.
The squad features Real Madrid’s Courtois in goal, Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku and Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard in wide positions, plus Napoli’s De Bruyne pulling the strings in midfield.