Belgium has named striker Romelu Lukaku to its national team roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup [1].
The selection of the Napoli forward is significant because his inclusion comes amid public disagreements between his club and national team management regarding his physical readiness.
Lukaku's presence in the squad marks the fourth time he has been selected for a World Cup [3]. The announcement of the roster took place on Friday, May 23, 2024 [1]. The upcoming tournament will be hosted across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada [2].
His selection follows a period of injury troubles that have sparked debate over his current form. Rudi Garcia, the manager of Napoli, expressed concern regarding the striker's condition. "He is out of shape," Garcia said [2].
However, the Belgian coaching staff holds a different view of the player's status. Domenico Tedesco, the coach for Belgium, indicated that the striker has put in the necessary effort to return to competition. "Lukaku has worked hard to get fit and is ready to help Belgium at the World Cup," Tedesco said [3].
The decision to include Lukaku suggests that the national team prioritizes his proven scoring ability over the fitness concerns raised by his club manager. While Garcia's comments highlight a potential lack of match sharpness, Tedesco's confidence implies that the player's recovery timeline aligns with the tournament's requirements.
Belgium will rely on the experienced striker to lead the attack in a competitive international field. His ability to contribute will depend on whether he can maintain the fitness levels demanded by the World Cup schedule after his recent struggles at the club level [1].
“"He is out of shape"”
The conflicting assessments of Lukaku's fitness between Rudi Garcia and Domenico Tedesco highlight the frequent tension between club and country during major tournaments. By selecting Lukaku, Belgium is gambling on his veteran experience and historical performance over current physical metrics, suggesting they view him as indispensable to their tactical setup regardless of his recent injury record.
