In a move that has raised eyebrows across the football world, Belgium has named Romelu Lukaku in their World Cup squad despite the striker having played just one hour of competitive football this season. The Napoli forward, who turned 33 this week, has been limited to seven substitute appearances in 2025-26 and has spent the past two months in Belgium recovering from a hamstring injury.

Lukaku, Belgium's all-time leading scorer with 89 goals from 124 caps, last featured for the national team against Wales in June. His inclusion marks a vote of confidence from coach Rudi Garcia, who has kept faith with the experienced striker for what would be his fourth consecutive World Cup appearance. He joins veterans Thibaut Courtois, Kevin de Bruyne, and Axel Witsel in the 26-man squad.

The squad also features an intriguing new face: Lille's Matias Fernandez-Pardo, who pledged his international allegiance to Belgium this week. The 21-year-old forward, born in Brussels to Italian and Spanish parents, had previously switched his allegiance to Spain in 2025 but never played for them. He was chosen over Juventus' Lois Openda, who has struggled for regular playing time this season.

Belgium faces a challenging Group G campaign against Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand, with matches scheduled across the United States and Canada. The squad blends experienced campaigners with emerging talent, including Sporting defender Zeno Debast, who was included despite a training injury.

For fans looking to support the Red Devils in style, the complete squad list offers plenty of kit inspiration: from the experienced leadership of Courtois, De Bruyne, and Tielemans to the electrifying pace of Doku and Trossard on the wings. Whether you're backing the established stars or the next generation, Belgium's World Cup journey promises to be one of the tournament's most compelling storylines.