Belgium doesn’t – Romelu Lukaku’s near-instant impact helped Belgium salvage a 1-1 draw with Egypt on Monday, but coach Rudi Garcia said the team still doesn’t plan to start him. Garcia pointed to “fitness struggles,” suggesting Lukaku will be used primarily as a bench threat a
For Belgium, the second half felt like a race against momentum—then Romelu Lukaku sprinted into it.
Garcia turned to Lukaku in the 66th minute in the Group G match against Egypt. and the change landed almost immediately. After Lukaku charged down the middle of the field toward the net and got ready to pounce on a cross from his Belgium teammate. Egyptian defender Mohamed Hany made contact with the ball and scored an own-goal. Belgium avoided a near disaster and earned one point with a 1-1 draw. played in front of 66. 775 fans at Lumen Field in Seattle.
The swing of the game began earlier for Egypt. Emam Ashour scored in the 20th minute, giving Egypt the lead before Lukaku’s introduction leveled the match before Belgium could fully settle.
But even with that kind of impact. Garcia made clear after the match that Lukaku is not expected to be in the starting lineup. “He can’t start a game,” Garcia said to reporters, via ESPN. He described the plan for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as conditional—starting will come only when Lukaku is ready. “The switch for Lukaku will be when he is ready to start. The story has got a happy ending because we thought he wouldn’t even be able to come with us.”.
Garcia tied the decision to what he called “fitness struggles,” adding that Belgium intends to use Lukaku in a way that keeps opposing defenses on edge. “His body needs to get back into groove,” Garcia said, referring to how limited playing time across the season could affect readiness.
Lukaku’s season has been shaped by absence as well. He missed most of the season with Napoli due to a hamstring injury he suffered in August. Garcia said Lukaku is not battling the injury at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. but he will be limited to a “super-sub role” because of his fitness capabilities. Garcia also pushed back on the idea that the setback is an active injury problem, saying, “He isn’t injured.”.
If Belgium can get the best of him off the bench. Garcia suggested. the risks look smaller than defenders might fear. “If he can play the super-sub role and then score every time he comes on, that’s great,” he said. “If you’re a defender and you see him coming off the bench, you’re probably quaking in your boots. I’m delighted for him.”.
By the end of the first round of games in Group G, the standings tightened into a four-way tie. New Zealand and Iran played to a 2-2 draw on Monday as the group’s balance remained stubbornly intact.
Belgium’s next test is Iran on Sunday, with Lukaku’s role now clear: game-changer potential without the starting burden—at least for now.
Belgium Romelu Lukaku Rudi Garcia Egypt vs Belgium Group G 2026 FIFA World Cup Lumen Field Seattle hamstring injury