Liam Duckstein
Romelu Lukaku has been named in Belgium‘s 2026 World Cup squad despite coach Rudi Garcia admitting the striker is “out of shape” and unlikely to start matches. The selection underlines just how dependent the Red Devils remain on their all-time record scorer, even when he is well short of peak condition.
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Lukaku, 33, has managed just 69 minutes of first-team football in 2026 and is currently sidelined with a hip injury during a difficult spell at Napoli in Serie A. The former Inter Milan and Chelsea forward carries 89 goals in 124 international appearances for Belgium, a record that explains Garcia’s decision to retain him despite the fitness concerns.
“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.” — Rudi Garcia
The 26-man squad contains one notable new face: Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo earns his first senior call-up after switching international allegiance from Spain, having previously represented the Spanish Under-21s.
The most prominent absentee is Lois Openda, left out after a poor loan spell at Juventus from RB Leipzig — just one goal in 24 Serie A appearances this season. Outside of that omission and Fernandez-Pardo‘s inclusion, the squad reflects the familiar core: Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, and Jeremy Doku are all named.
Belgium open their Group G campaign against Egypt in Seattle on June 15, then face Iran in Los Angeles and New Zealand in Vancouver.
The tournament represents another shot at redemption for a squad that has consistently underperformed on the biggest stage. The Red Devils crashed out of the 2022 World Cup in the group stage, a campaign overshadowed by internal disputes as the so-called “golden generation” fell apart in what was widely expected to be their best — and last — genuine shot at a major title. They then exited Euro 2024 in the last 16, beaten by France after a laboured group stage.
Garcia, previously in charge of Napoli, Roma, and Marseille, was appointed in January 2025 following the dismissal of Domenico Tedesco.
Belgium’s Full 2026 World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers
- Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid / ESP)
- Senne Lammens (Manchester United / ENG)
- Mike Penders (Chelsea / ENG)
Defenders
- Timothy Castagne (Fulham / ENG)
- Zeno Debast (Sporting / POR)
- Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton / ENG)
- Koni De Winter (AC Milan / ITA)
- Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge)
- Thomas Meunier (Lille / FRA)
- Nathan Ngoy (Lille / FRA)
- Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge)
- Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt / GER)
Midfielders
- Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli / ITA)
- Amadou Onana (Aston Villa / ENG)
- Nicolas Raskin (Rangers / SCO)
- Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa / ENG)
- Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge)
- Axel Witsel (Girona / ESP)
Forwards
- Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta / ITA)
- Jeremy Doku (Manchester City / ENG)
- Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Lille / FRA)
- Romelu Lukaku (Napoli / ITA)
- Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica / POR)
- Diego Moreira (Strasbourg / FRA)
- Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan / ITA)
- Leandro Trossard (Arsenal / ENG)
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