Belgium include out-of-shape Lukaku in World Cup team

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Belgium have included striker Romelu Lukaku in their World Cup squad despite concerns over his fitness, with head coach Rudi Garcia admitting the forward is not yet in peak condition following a lengthy injury layoff.

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The Napoli striker, who recently turned 33, has managed just seven substitute appearances totalling 69 minutes in the 2025–26 season after spending two months recovering from a hamstring injury.

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As reported by BBC Sport on Friday, Garcia said Lukaku remains a key figure for the national team but acknowledged that he is still working his way back to full sharpness.

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“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,” Garcia said.

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He added that the coaching staff will carefully manage the striker’s recovery in the build-up to the tournament.

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“We have five weeks to get him back to full fitness so that little by little he can help the team,” he said.

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Lukaku, Belgium’s record goalscorer with 89 goals in 124 international appearances, is set to feature at his fourth consecutive World Cup alongside senior players including Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, and Axel Witsel.

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Belgium also included Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo, who recently committed his international future to the country, replacing Lois Openda, who has struggled for regular club minutes.

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Sporting defender Zeno Debast has also been named in the squad despite a recent training injury.

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Belgium will compete in Group G against Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand, with matches scheduled to be played in the United States and Canada.

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