Will Antoine Griezmann make it to the 2026 World Cup with France? We analyze statistics, current events, and his role with Les Bleus on their way to the most important tournament on the planet.
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WILL ROMELU LUKAKU PLAY IN THE 2026 WORLD CUP?
Romelu Lukaku, one of Europe's most feared strikers, has been a key player for the Belgian national team for over a decade. But with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon and after some ups and downs in his recent career, many are wondering: will Lukaku play in the next World Cup? In this article, we analyze his statistics, his fitness, his influence on the national team, and what the experts are saying. We also explore interesting facts about his career and his impact both at club and international levels. If you're a football fan and want to know if Big Rom will be at the 2026 World Cup, this article is for you.
Lukaku's Recent Career
Romelu Lukaku has had a career full of ups and downs, but he has always maintained his goalscoring instinct. After his successful spell at Inter Milan, where he won Serie A in the 2020-2021 season, his transfer to Chelsea promised to be a triumphant return to the Premier League. However, things didn't go as planned.
At Chelsea, he failed to establish himself as the starting striker, and criticism soon followed. His style didn't fit with Thomas Tuchel's system, and his performance was the subject of debate both in England and Belgium. This led to his return to Inter on loan, where he felt comfortable again, although injuries began to affect his consistency. In 2023-2024, he played for Roma on loan from Chelsea, where he regained some of his form. Under José Mourinho, he showed glimpses of the dominant Lukaku we all know. His performance was positive: more than 20 goals in the season and an improvement in his fitness, although without reaching his peak of previous years.
Key club statistics
Over 280 club goals throughout his career.
Inter's all-time leading scorer in European competitions.
He has played in 6 different leagues.
He has scored 15+ goals per season in 9 different campaigns.
At Roma, he averaged 0.6 goals per game.
His role in the Belgian national team
Lukaku is the all-time leading scorer for the Belgian national team. With over 80 goals in official competitions, his presence in the 'golden generation' has been crucial. Since his debut in 2010, he has played in three World Cups (2014, 2018, and 2022), and his performance has been key in several qualifying rounds and important tournaments.
At the 2018 World Cup, Belgium achieved a historic third place, with Lukaku as the tournament's second-highest scorer (4 goals). At the 2022 World Cup, however, Belgium had a disappointing performance, and Lukaku was criticized for missing several clear chances amid rumors about his fitness.
Interesting facts with the national team
He has captained the team on several occasions, despite not wearing the armband regularly.
His goalscoring average with Belgium is higher than Thierry Henry's with France.
He is one of the five active European players with the most international goals.
He scored his first goal for the national team at 17 years old.
He has more goals than Cristiano Ronaldo had at the same age age with the national team.
Currently, Lukaku continues to be called up by coach Domenico Tedesco. His leadership, experience, and goal-scoring ability make him almost indispensable, but everything will depend on how his physical condition evolves between now and 2026.
The competition is tough: young talents like Lois Openda and Dodi Lukebakio are pushing hard. But if Lukaku maintains his level and avoids injuries, his presence at the World Cup is more than likely.
Will he be at the 2026 World Cup?
The big question. To answer it, multiple factors must be considered: age, physical condition, performance for club and country, and the national team context. In 2026, Lukaku will be 33 years old, an age that still allows him to compete at a high level if he stays fit. Strikers like Olivier Giroud, Edinson Cavani, or Zlatan Ibrahimović have played in international tournaments even at an older age.
Regarding his physical condition, although he has suffered several muscle injuries in recent years, his playing style, based on power and positioning rather than pure speed, gives him room to adapt.
Furthermore, his commitment to the national team is evident: he has always said that playing for Belgium is an honor and a priority.What the experts say
“If he's healthy, he's the best Belgian striker available,” former national team coach Roberto Martínez recently said.
ESPN analysts agree that Lukaku is vital to maintaining the team's offensive balance.
Several Belgian media outlets claim that the coaching staff considers him a veteran figure.
Tedesco has stated that “Lukaku is part of the long-term project.”
Fans on social media continue to see him as the Undisputed number nine. That said, his presence at the World Cup is not guaranteed. Everything will depend on his 2025-2026 season, his physical health, and the level of internal competition. But if things go well, it's very likely that Big Rom will be in the United States, Mexico, or Canada defending the Red Devils. And you, do you want to see him in 2026? If you're one of those who enjoys watching a striker who combines strength, technique, and a nose for goal, then you can't miss Lukaku's last World Cup dance, if it happens. Because one thing is for sure: with Romelu on the pitch, something epic can always happen.
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