Belgium named Romelu Lukaku in their 26-man World Cup squad on Wednesday despite manager Rudi Garcia saying the striker is still not in shape after a hamstring injury and has not played since March 6. Lukaku, who turned 33 on Wednesday, is Belgium's all-time leading scorer with 89 goals from 124 caps and has the chance to play in his fourth successive World Cup.
Garcia did not disguise the problem. He said Lukaku had recovered but was still out of shape, adding that he was not sure the forward would be ready to start matches. He also said Belgium had five weeks to get him back to full fitness so he can help the team little by little.
The decision keeps Belgium's biggest attacking name in the frame for Group G matches against Egypt, Iran and New Zealand in the United States and Canada. Lukaku has spent the past two months in Belgium recovering from the hamstring injury and has managed only one goal this season, with seven substitute appearances totalling 69 minutes in 2025-26.
The squad also brings together several of Belgium's most experienced players, including Thibaut Courtois, Kevin de Bruyne and Axel Witsel. Belgium also added Lille's 21-year-old Matias Fernandez-Pardo after he pledged his international allegiance to Belgium this week, having been born in Brussels to Italian and Spanish parents, played for Belgium at junior level and switched to Spain in 2025 without making an appearance there.
Belgium picked Fernandez-Pardo instead of Lois Openda and also included Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin and Sporting defender Zeno Debast, despite the injury he picked up in training. For Garcia, the calculation is clear: Belgium are taking Lukaku now and betting five weeks is enough time to turn a superstar who has barely played into a striker they can use when the tournament begins.
