World Cup

Romelu Lukaku in Belgium World Cup squad, Divock Origi left out

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 10 November 2022

Lukaku in Belgium World Cup squad, Origi left out

Injury-hit Romelu Lukaku is named in Belgium's World Cup squad, but fellow forward Divock Origi misses out on a place in the 26-player group.

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has named his 26-player squad for the upcoming World Cup, placing faith in the fitness of key forward Romelu Lukaku.

The Chelsea man, currently on loan at Inter Milan, has played just 29 minutes of football since the end of August, and he is currently sidelined by a hamstring injury.

However, the 29-year-old, who has netted 68 goals from 102 appearances for his country, has been selected, with AC Milan forward Divock Origi missing out.

The likes of Jason Denayer and Dedryck Boyata, two defenders who have been regulars under Martinez, have also been cut from the squad, with in-form Leicester City centre-back Wout Faes earning a place on the plane.

As expected, veterans Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen are named as two of the defensive options, with alternatives available in Martinez's crop of midfield players if required.

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne headlines a stacked list of players who could feature in the centre of the pitch, with Leicester's Youri Tielemans and Everton's Amadou Onana also being selected.

Kevin De Bruyne in action for Manchester City on November 2, 2022 © Reuters

Leicester's Timothy Castagne, Aston Villa's Leander Dendoncker and Brighton & Hove Albion's Leandro Trossard will also represent Belgium in Qatar.

Captain Eden Hazard will hope for regular action despite his struggles at Real Madrid, with his brother Thorgan Hazard capable of playing in numerous roles.

Jeremy Doku is a surprise name in the squad, the winger having not featured in a Belgium squad since March and having made just one start for Rennes all season.

Belgium have been drawn in Group F where they will play Canada, Morocco and Croatia, starting with the former on November 23.

Belgium's 2022 World Cup squad in full

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge), Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg)

Defenders: Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Toby Alderweireld (Antwerp), Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund), Arthur Theate (Rennes), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Wout Faes (Leicester City)

Midfielders: Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Youri Tielemans (Leicester City), Leander Dendoncker (Aston Villa), Timothy Castagne (Leicester City), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Leandro Trossard (Brighton & Hove Albion), Charles De Ketelaere (AC Milan), Amadou Onana (Everton)

Attackers: Eden Hazard (Real Madrid), Dries Mertens (Galatasaray), Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan), Michy Batshuayi (Fenerbahce), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund), Jeremy Doku (Rennes), Lois Openda (Lens)