Lukaku was included in Belgium’s World Cup squad despite an injury-plagued season World Cup 2026 news

The country’s top scorer has not started for Napoli this season and has only played seven games.

Belgium have included striker Romelu Lukaku in their World Cup squad, despite having played just one hour of competitive football this season.

Lukaku, who turned 33 on Wednesday, is yet to start for Napoli this season, making seven appearances and scoring at Verona in February, and has been in Belgium for the past two months recovering from a hip injury.

But his status as the country’s top goalscorer has seen coach Rudi ⁠Garcia gamble that he has the power to compete in next month’s tournament. Belgium is in Group G along with Egypt, Iran and New Zealand.

Lukaku has scored 89 times for Belgium but won his last 124 games in their 4-3 win over Wales at the World Cup last June.

As cover, Garcia included threat Matias Fernandez-Pardo after giving up his international future earlier this week.

The 21-year-old, who was born in Brussels to Italian and Spanish parents, played in Belgium at a young age before choosing to play for Spain in 2024. But, after that, he did not honor his call up under 20. He had a strong season in Lille and was chosen to replace Lois Openda, who did not play regularly for Juventus this season.

Defender Zeno ⁠Debast was also included despite suffering an injury in training for the Portuguese club and amid reports that he may not recover in time. The debast has been stable since Garcia took over as coach.

The timely return from injury of Real Madrid midfielder Thibaut Courtois is a bonus for the team, but speculation that Garcia would pick four goals in his 26-man selection was incorrect.

Garcia announced his squad in a midday program on Belgian television, and it will be the fourth consecutive World Cup for Courtois, Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel.

Belgium squad for World Cup 2026:

Scorers: Thibaut Courtois, Senne Lammens, Mike Penders.

Protectors: Timothy Castagne, Zeno Debast, Maxim De Cuyper, Koni De Winter, Brandon Mechele, Thomas Meunier, Nathan Ngoy, Joaquin Seys, Arthur Theate.

Middle players: Kevin De Bruyne, Amadou Onana, Nicolas Raskin, Youri Tielemans, Hans Vanaken, Axel Witsel.

Players: Charles De Ketelaere, Jeremy Doku, Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Romelu Lukaku, Dodi Lukebakio, Diego Moreira, Alexis Saelemaekers, Leandro Trossard.