Belgium opts for a bench role for Lukaku despite impressive late performance

In a crucial Group G match at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Belgium's head coach Rudi Garcia called upon Romelu Lukaku in the 66th minute as his team sought to turn the tide against Egypt. The match, held on Monday in Seattle, saw Egypt take an early lead with a goal from Emam Ashour in the 20th minute.

Lukaku's introduction proved impactful, as he quickly got involved in the action, advancing towards the goal just moments after stepping onto the field. His presence prompted Egyptian defender Mohamed Hany to inadvertently score an own goal, leveling the match at 1-1. This result allowed Belgium to secure a vital point in front of 66,775 spectators at Lumen Field.

Despite Lukaku's vital contribution, Garcia stated in a post-match conference that the forward will not be starting in upcoming games due to ongoing fitness concerns. "He can’t start a game," Garcia explained, emphasizing the need for Lukaku to regain full match fitness before taking on a starting role. "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."

Lukaku, who has struggled with injuries throughout the season, notably missing significant time with Napoli due to a hamstring issue, is currently not facing any injury at the World Cup. However, Garcia confirmed that he will continue to utilize Lukaku as a "super-sub," a role the coach believes could instill fear in opposing defenses. "If he can play the super-sub role and then score every time he comes on, that’s great," he noted.

After the first round of matches, Group G is tightly contested, with Belgium tied with New Zealand and Iran, who also played to a 2-2 draw. Belgium's next challenge will be against Iran on Sunday.