The fitness and form of Belgian top scorer Romelu Lukaku are not a problem in the run-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, coach Rudi Garcia emphasized on the eve of the warm-up match against Croatia on Tuesday.
Lukaku, 33, was included in the Belgian squad for this month’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States, despite playing only an hour of competitive football this season.
Lukaku did not start for Napoli, making seven substitute appearances and scoring a goal in Verona in February, and has been in Belgium since March recovering from a hamstring injury.
But his role as the country’s top scorer, with 89 goals in 124 appearances, saw Garcia gamble on his fitness, and the coach is happy with his decision.
«I have never seen a player as motivated as he is,» Garcia said at a news conference on Monday. “I’m not worried about Romelu’s injury, but he has played very little.
«He is better than I expected and scores a lot in training. But it is also logical that he is not ready to start yet. He is far from being able to play ninety minutes, but he could come on as a substitute.»
«I don’t know how good he will be against Egypt or later in the tournament. He comes from a long way back, but I am very happy that he is with us.»
Belgium opens its Group G campaign against Egypt in Seattle on June 15, before meeting Iran and New Zealand.
Published on June 2, 2026
