Romelu's fourth WC: Lukaku makes the cut despite injury-plagued season

Romelu Lukaku is heading to another World Cup - even after barely playing this season. Belgium boss Rudi Garcia has included the veteran striker in his 26-man squad despite the Belgium national football team captain managing just one hour of competitive football in 2025-26 due to a long-term hamstring injury.

The Napoli forward, who turned 33 this week, has spent the last two months recovering in Belgium and has made only seven substitute appearances this season. Still, Garcia opted to trust the country's all-time leading scorer, giving Lukaku the chance to feature at a fourth consecutive World Cup.

With 89 goals in 124 international appearances, Lukaku remains one of the defining figures of Belgium's golden generation alongside Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Axel Witsel - all of whom were also included in Garcia's squad for the tournament in the United States and Canada.

One of the more intriguing selections is Matias Fernandez-Pardo, the Lille OSC attacker who recently committed his international future to Belgium after previously switching allegiance to Spain. The 21-year-old earns a surprise call-up ahead of Lois Openda, who struggled for minutes this season at Juventus.

There was also room for injured defender Zeno Debast, while Belgium's attacking options will additionally include Jeremy Doku, Leandro Trossard, Charles De Ketelaere and Dodi Lukebakio.

Belgium will face Egypt, Iran and New Zealand in Group G as they attempt to make one final deep run with the core of their celebrated generation still intact.