Rudi Garcia Gambles on Romelu Lukaku’s Fitness for Belgium's World Cup Campaign

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia has officially unveiled his 26-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, making the high-stakes decision to include star striker Romelu Lukaku despite severe fitness concerns.

The 33-year-old Napoli forward, who stands as Belgium's all-time leading goalscorer with 89 goals in 124 appearances, has endured an incredibly frustrating club campaign marred by persistent injuries, limiting him to just an hour of competitive football this season. Garcia conceded that while the forward is technically recovered, he is significantly out of match shape, and it remains uncertain whether he will be capable of starting when the tournament kicks off. However, the manager emphasized that Lukaku's veteran leadership and unmatched goalscoring pedigree made him an indispensable asset to the team.

The Red Devils' squad features a blend of youth and extensive tournament experience. Alongside Lukaku, veteran mainstays Thibaut Courtois, Axel Witsel, and Napoli teammate Kevin De Bruyne, who is also nursing a hamstring issue, have been called upon for their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance.

To help provide insurance in attack, Garcia handed a debut call-up to 21-year-old Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo, who recently committed his senior international future to Belgium after previously switching allegiance to Spain. His inclusion comes at the expense of Juventus forward Moise Kean and high-profile omissions like Ajax starlet Mika Godts.

Belgium will navigate Group G at the tournament in North America, where they are scheduled to face Egypt, IR Iran, and New Zealand.