Belgium coach Rudi Garcia named Romelu Lukaku in his World Cup squad on Friday even after saying the striker is not fully fit.
Lukaku is Belgium’s top scorer with 89 goals in 124 matches. But the 33-year-old has struggled this season with Napoli. He has played only 69 minutes of first-team football in 2026 and is out with a hip injury.
Garcia said Lukaku has recovered but still needs work.
“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.
“We have five weeks to get him back to full fitness so that little by little he can help the team.”
Despite his fitness concerns, Garcia still sees Lukaku as key to Belgium’s hopes in the United States.
Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo earned his first senior call-up after switching from Spain’s youth setup.
Lois Openda missed out after a poor season. The striker scored only once in 24 Serie A games while on loan at Juventus from RB Leipzig.
Belgium’s squad also includes big names like Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Jeremy Doku.
Belgium begin their World Cup on June 15 against Egypt in Seattle. They then face Iran and New Zealand in Group G.
The Red Devils hope to bounce back after poor recent tournaments. They crashed out in the 2022 World Cup group stage and then lost to France in the Euro 2024 last 16.
Garcia took charge in January 2025 after Domenico Tedesco was sacked.
Belgium World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Senne Lammens, Mike Penders
Defenders: Timothy Castagne, Zeno Debast, Maxim De Cuyper, Koni De Winter, Brandon Mechele, Thomas Meunier, Nathan Ngoy, Joaquin Seys, Arthur Theate
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne, Amadou Onana, Nicolas Raskin, Youri Tielemans, Hans Vanaken, Axel Witsel
Forwards: Charles De Ketelaere, Jeremy Doku, Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Romelu Lukaku, Dodi Lukebakio, Diego Moreira, Alexis Saelemaekers, Leandro Trossard
