BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
Romelu Lukaku has completed a dramatic return to Belgium’s national team after overcoming persistent injury problems, earning a place in the country’s World Cup squad and setting the stage for what could become the final major international tournament for one of Belgium’s most accomplished football generations.
Belgium coach unveiled his squad Friday, confirming the inclusion of Lukaku alongside veteran stars and as the European nation prepares for its campaign at the upcoming World Cup.
For Lukaku, the selection marks the culmination of months of rehabilitation and uncertainty after injuries severely disrupted both his club and international appearances over the past year. The powerful striker, now 33, has struggled with recurring physical setbacks that limited him to only five Serie A appearances this season for .
His last appearance for Belgium came nearly a year ago during a World Cup qualifying match against Wales in June, where he scored before later being sidelined by fitness issues. Although Lukaku was initially selected for Belgium’s recent friendly matches in March and April, he eventually withdrew from the squad because of ongoing concerns surrounding his recovery.
Despite the setbacks, Belgium’s coaching staff maintained confidence in the country’s all-time leading scorer and ultimately included him in the final roster for the tournament.
Lukaku enters the competition as one of the most experienced international players in world football. He has already made 124 appearances for Belgium, placing him among the nation’s most decorated players and giving the squad a level of tournament experience few teams can match.
The same applies to De Bruyne and Courtois, who are both preparing to compete in their fourth World Cup tournaments. De Bruyne has represented Belgium 117 times, while Courtois has appeared in 107 matches for the national side. Veteran midfielder remains Belgium’s most experienced active international player with 136 caps and is also set for a fourth World Cup campaign at the age of 37.
Together, the group represents the core of Belgium’s so-called “golden generation,” a talented era of players that consistently ranked among the world’s best over the past decade but fell short of winning a major international trophy.
Belgium’s greatest achievement during that period came at the 2018 World Cup, where the team finished third after defeating England in the third-place playoff. However, the country suffered disappointment four years later when it failed to advance beyond the group stage at the 2022 tournament, leading to increased scrutiny over whether the team’s aging stars could remain competitive at the highest level.
Garcia’s latest squad selection appears designed to balance veteran leadership with emerging talent.
Courtois, widely regarded as one of the world’s top goalkeepers, returns after injury concerns forced him to miss Belgium’s most recent international fixtures. The goalkeeper has nevertheless remained a crucial performer at club level throughout the season and is expected to once again anchor Belgium’s defense.
Belgium’s attacking options also include several players with extensive experience in the . , currently playing for , provides versatility and creativity in attack, while explosive winger brings pace and dribbling ability after impressing with .
Among the notable omissions from the squad is 17-year-old midfielder , who had briefly emerged as one of Belgium’s most exciting young prospects. De Cat made his senior international debut during Belgium’s 5-2 victory over the United States in March and would have been among the youngest players at the World Cup had he been selected.
Forward was also left out after struggling for consistent playing time at in recent months.
Belgium opens its World Cup campaign in Group G against on June 15 before facing six days later. The group stage concludes June 27 against .
With many of Belgium’s most influential players now in the latter stages of their careers, the tournament could represent one final opportunity for the country’s golden generation to secure the major international success that has long eluded it.
Belgium’s final World Cup squad includes goalkeepers Courtois, Senne Lammens and Mike Penders; defenders Timothy Castagne, Zeno Debast, Maxim de Cuyper, Koni de Winter, Brandon Mechele, Thomas Meunier, Nathan Ngoy, Joaquin Seys and Arthur Theate; midfielders De Bruyne, Amadou Onana, Nicolas Raskin, Youri Tielemans, Hans Vanaken and Witsel; and forwards Charles De Ketelaere, Doku, Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Lukaku, Dodi Lukebakio, Diego Moreira, Alexis Saelemaekers and Trossard.
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