Belgium's national football team has announced its roster for the upcoming World Cup, with star forward Romelu Lukaku making the cut, despite recent fitness issues. The Napoli striker, who celebrated his 33rd birthday recently, has faced a challenging season, having only appeared in seven matches as a substitute, accumulating a mere 69 minutes of play. For the past two months, Lukaku has been undergoing rehabilitation in Belgium to recover from a hamstring injury, raising questions about his readiness for the prestigious tournament.
Coach Rudi Garcia addressed the situation, acknowledging Lukaku's current physical condition. He noted that while Lukaku has recovered from his injury, he is not yet in optimal match shape. However, Garcia underscored the striker's invaluable contribution to the team, highlighting his status as Belgium's all-time leading scorer with an impressive 89 goals from 124 international appearances. The coaching staff plans to work intensively with Lukaku over the next five weeks to ensure he reaches peak fitness, enabling him to contribute significantly to the squad's performance. This World Cup marks a potential fourth consecutive appearance for Lukaku, joining other key players like Thibaut Courtois, Kevin de Bruyne, and Axel Witsel.
In other squad news, Matias Fernandez-Pardo of Lille has been included after declaring his international allegiance to Belgium. The 21-year-old forward, born in Brussels to Italian and Spanish parents, previously played for Belgium at junior levels before briefly switching allegiance to Spain in 2025, though he never featured for their senior team. His selection comes as cover, notably over Lois Openda, who has seen limited playing time with Juventus. Additionally, Sporting defender Zeno Debast was named in the squad despite sustaining an injury during training. Belgium is set to compete in Group G alongside Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand, with their matches scheduled to be held in the United States and Canada.
The inclusion of a seasoned player like Lukaku, even with fitness concerns, demonstrates the coaching staff's belief in his potential impact and leadership. It serves as a powerful reminder that with dedication, perseverance, and strategic support, individuals can overcome challenges and contribute to collective success. This approach fosters a positive and resilient team spirit, inspiring both players and fans alike to strive for excellence and achieve ambitious goals.
