Lukaku included but no Godts as Garcia announces Belgian squad for World Cup

Lukaku celebrated his 33rd birthday on Wednesday yet he has not made a single start for Napoli during the current campaign, featuring in seven games from the bench and scoring once against Verona back in February, while spending the past two months in Belgium recovering from a hamstring problem.

Nevertheless, Garcia has decided to take a chance on the striker's condition for the upcoming competition, given his status as Belgium's all-time top goalscorer, with the team drawn in Group G alongside Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand.

The forward boasts 89 international goals from his 124 appearances, with his most recent outing coming in the dramatic 4-3 victory against Wales during World Cup qualifying last June.

To provide backup, the manager has selected young prospect Matias Fernandez-Pardo, who only recently pledged his allegiance to the national team.

Born in Brussels to parents of Italian and Spanish descent, the 21-year-old represented Belgium at youth levels before opting for Spain in 2024, though he ultimately skipped their under-20 call-up. After an impressive campaign with Lille, he earns a spot over Lois Openda, who has struggled for minutes at Juventus this term.

Garcia also named defender Zeno Debast for Sporting Lisbon, even though he picked up an injury in training and there are doubts about his readiness. The player has been a key figure since the coach's arrival.

The recovery of shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois adds a positive note to the selection, although rumours of including four goalkeepers in the 26-player roster did not materialise.

The announcement came during the midday news segment on Belgian TV, marking a fourth consecutive World Cup outing for Courtois, Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Axel Witsel.

Belgium's World Cup squad:

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Mike Penders (Racing Strasbourg)

Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Zeno Debast (Sporting Lisbon), Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton & Hove Albion), Koni De Winter (AC Milan), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Thomas Meunier (Lille), Nathan Ngoy (Lille), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge), Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli), Amadou Onana (Aston Villa), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Girona)

Forwards: Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Lille), Romelu Lukaku (Napoli), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Diego Moreira (Racing Strasbourg), Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)