Belgium pick Lukaku for 2026 World Cup despite hamstring layoff

Belgium named a 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup on 15 May 2026, with Romelu Lukaku included despite limited minutes this season following a hamstring issue. Coach Rudi Garcia backed the 33-year-old, the country’s all-time leading scorer with 89 goals from 124 caps. The tournament starts next month, with Belgium drawn in Group G alongside Egypt, Iran and New Zealand.

Lukaku has logged about an hour of competitive football for Napoli across seven substitute appearances this season, scoring once in February. He has spent the past two months in Belgium to rehabilitate his injury and last played for the national team in June of last year during World Cup qualifying.

Garcia backs Lukaku’s fitness call

Record scorer returns despite limited minutes

Lukaku has not started a match for Napoli this season but remains central to Belgium’s attacking plans. Garcia is taking a calculated risk on a player whose goal record has often carried the national side in major tournaments. The inclusion also preserves continuity in a dressing room that still features several veterans of past cycles.

Belgium’s staff are expected to manage Lukaku’s minutes in the coming weeks. His readiness will be one of the squad’s key variables, with alternatives available to share the load in the front line if needed.

Selection calls shape Belgium’s 26

Fernandez-Pardo chosen over Openda

Promising 21-year-old attacker Matias Fernandez-Pardo was included after committing his international future to Belgium earlier in the week, following a strong season with Lille. He offers depth across the forward positions and was preferred to Lois Openda, who has not featured regularly for Juventus this term.

Defender Zeno Debast kept his place despite a recent training injury at his club. He has become a regular since Garcia took charge, and medical staff will monitor his availability as the tournament approaches. The coach announced his list on a national television bulletin, maintaining a core group that has been together through recent qualification campaigns.

Courtois returns; full list confirmed

Veteran spine heads to a fourth World Cup

Thibaut Courtois is back from injury to anchor the goalkeeping group, quashing speculation that Belgium might name four keepers in a 26-man party. It will be a fourth straight World Cup appearance for Courtois, Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel, underscoring the continuity at the heart of the team.

Belgium’s 26-man squad

• Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois returns, joined by Senne Lammens and Mike Penders.

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

• Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne, Amadou Onana, Nicolas Raskin, Youri Tielemans, Hans Vanaken and Axel Witsel.

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

With the group finalised, Belgium’s focus turns to managing fitness and rhythm before the opener. Lukaku’s workload and Debast’s recovery will be central storylines as Garcia fine-tunes combinations for Group G.