Romelu Lukaku has been included in the final squad for Belgium at World Cup 2026 next month. Lukaku, who turned 33 on Wednesday, is the second best goal scorer of all-time in men’s European football teams, with 89 goals in 124 appearances, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo, and his presence was expected, but Belgium coach Rudi García said he is out of shape and may not start.
“Romelu has recovered, but he’s out of shape, and I’m not sure he’ll be able to start the matches. But he’s our best striker, Belgium’s all-time leading scorer. We have five weeks to get him back to full fitness so that little by little he can help the team”, García said.
Lukaku has only played seven matches, and 69 minutes in total this season, scoring one goal, and has spent the last two months in Belgium, prioritising training for World Cup over duties for his club Napoli.
Belgium World Cup 2026 squad:Goalkeepers
Thibaut Courtois – Real Madrid
Senne Lammens – Manchester United
Mike Penders – Racing Strasbourg
Defenders
Timothy Castagne – Fulham
Zeno Debast – Sporting CP
Maxim de Cuyper – Brighton & Hove Albion
Koni de Winter – AC Milan
Brandon Mechele – Club Brugge
Thomas Meunier – Lille
Nathan Ngoy – Lille
Joaquin Seys – Club Brugge
Arthur Theate – Eintracht Frankfurt
Midfielders
Kevin De Bruyne – Napoli
Amadou Onana – Aston Villa
Nicolas Raskin – Rangers
Youri Tielemans – Aston Villa
Hans Vanaken – Club Brugge
Axel Witsel – Girona
Forwards
Charles De Ketelaere – Atalanta
Jérémy Doku – Manchester City
Matias Fernandez-Pardo – Lille
Romelu Lukaku – Napoli
Dodi Lukebakio – Benfica
Diego Moreira – Strasbourg
Alexis Saelemaekers – AC Milan
Leandro Trossard – Arsenal
Alizada Studios / ShutterStock