RismadarVoice Reporters
May 15, 2026
Belgium have named striker Romelu Lukaku in their World Cup squad despite concerns over his fitness following a lengthy injury layoff.
Head coach Rudi Garcia disclosed that the Napoli forward is yet to regain full match sharpness after recovering from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for two months during the 2025–26 season.
Garcia, while speaking ahead of the tournament, described Lukaku as a key player for the Belgian national team but admitted the striker may not be ready to start matches immediately.
The Belgian coach said the team’s medical and technical crew would carefully manage Lukaku’s fitness in the coming weeks to ensure he contributes effectively during the competition.
Lukaku, Belgium’s all-time leading scorer with 89 goals in 124 appearances, is expected to feature in his fourth consecutive World Cup alongside experienced stars including Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, and Axel Witsel.
Belgium will compete in Group G alongside Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand at the tournament scheduled to be hosted in the United States and Canada.
