Lukaku Selected Amidst Injury Concerns as Belgium Reveal World Cup Squad

Key Takeaways:

• Belgium named Romelu Lukaku in their World Cup squad despite his limited game time and recent injury
• Rising talent Mika Godts was omitted from the team announcement by coach Rudi Garcia
• Matias Fernandez-Pardo was chosen as attacking cover, while Thibaut Courtois made a timely return from injury

Squad Announcement and Notable Inclusions

Belgium have confirmed their 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup, with Romelu Lukaku among the selected despite significant injury setbacks. The experienced forward, who celebrated his 33rd birthday on Wednesday, has featured for just an hour of competitive action this season. Lukaku, currently with Napoli but yet to start a match for the Italian club, has only registered seven substitute appearances and found the net during a fixture at Verona in February. Throughout the past two months, he has been in Belgium focusing on rehabilitation from a hamstring injury.

Coach Rudi Garcia has chosen to bet on Lukaku’s importance to the side, relying on his status as Belgium’s all-time leading scorer as the squad prepare to compete in Group G alongside Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand in next month’s tournament. Lukaku’s international record stands at 89 goals from 124 caps, with his most recent appearance being Belgium’s 4-3 victory at home to Wales in World Cup qualifiers last June.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐂𝐔𝐏? 🇧🇪

Belgium's World Cup squad is here 🏆 pic.twitter.com/N0ljaSrByQ

— 433 (@433) May 15, 2026

Omissions and Strategic Choices

Ajax prospect Mika Godts was conspicuously absent from Garcia’s selection. In contrast, Garcia opted to include Matias Fernandez-Pardo as insurance up front after the 21-year-old pledged his international allegiance to Belgium earlier in the week. Born in Brussels to parents of Italian and Spanish heritage, Fernandez-Pardo previously represented Belgium at junior level. In 2024, he initially chose Spain but subsequently did not accept a call-up for their under-20 squad. With a standout season at Lille, Fernandez-Pardo was preferred over Lois Openda, who has been limited to a peripheral role at Juventus this campaign.

Zeno Debast, currently at Sporting Lisbon, has been selected among the defenders despite carrying an injury picked up during Portuguese club training. There have been suggestions that Debast could struggle for fitness ahead of the tournament, though he has been a consistent presence since Garcia’s appointment.

In the goalkeeping department, Thibaut Courtois marks his return from injury, delivering a timely boost to Belgium’s prospects. Contradicting previous speculation, Garcia refrained from naming four goalkeepers in his final squad.

Veteran Presence and Squad Details

The squad reveal, which took place during the lunchtime news on Belgian television, confirmed fourth consecutive World Cup appearances for Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Axel Witsel.

Full Belgium World Cup Squad