Romelu Lukaku is making a strong case for a place in Belgium’s starting line-up as the Red Devils prepare to face Iran in their second World Cup Group G fixture, with the Napoli striker desperate to build on his instant impact as a substitute against Egypt.
Lukaku, who has endured an injury-plagued campaign in Serie A, was introduced just after the hour mark in the opening 1-1 draw and forced an own goal from Mohamed Hany within seconds of his arrival. Yet head coach Rudi Garcia has made clear that the 33-year-old is not yet fit enough to complete a full match and is being managed as a “super sub” for now. Having missed significant portions of the season through injury, Lukaku’s fitness remains the central question for Belgium’s attacking plans.
Lukaku’s form and fitness challenges
The forward’s lack of match sharpness was evident in his limited role against Egypt, but his instant contribution from the bench has only strengthened calls for him to start. Garcia, however, has been cautious, insisting that Lukaku is not ready to go the distance. The Napoli man has spent much of the year on the sidelines, and Belgium’s coaching staff are acutely aware that overloading him could backfire. His physical condition will dictate whether he leads the line from the first whistle or is again held back as a late-game weapon.
Charles De Ketelaere started as the central striker against Egypt but failed to make a decisive impact. The AC Milan forward missed team training earlier in the week and was spotted with bandages, though he is expected to be available to face Iran. Nonetheless, he is not projected to start, with the likelihood that Lukaku will be entrusted with the No.9 role — albeit with a watchful eye on his minutes.
Further complications have arisen on the flanks. Jérémy Doku, who had taken over on the left wing from Eden Hazard, has withdrawn from the squad with a respiratory illness and is unavailable for the match. That leaves Leandro Trossard, who operated off the right against Egypt, as a likely starter once more, with support from the creative hub of Kevin De Bruyne.
Team news and predicted line-up
De Bruyne, the team captain, is embracing his role as one of the “old guard” in what is expected to be his fourth and final World Cup. After recovering from a thigh injury that sidelined him for months, the Manchester City playmaker has returned to form, scoring in Belgium’s recent 5-0 victory over Tunisia and finishing the qualification cycle as the team’s top scorer with six goals. Alongside him in midfield, Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans give the pivot a distinctly Premier League flavour.
Thibaut Courtois remains first choice in goal, while Thomas Meunier retains his place at right-back. The defence has otherwise been overhauled: Nathan Ngoy and Brandon Mechele are the expected centre-back pairing, and Timothy Castagne could continue at left-back, though Brighton’s Maxime de Cuyper is an alternative. Zeno Koen Debast has resumed individual training but is still out of contention.
Belgium’s predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Meunier, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Onana, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku (if fit); De Ketelaere or Lukaku.
With Doku unavailable, the left-wing berth is likely to be filled by another option, though Garcia’s tactical flexibility — including reports of possible switches to a 3-4-2-1 or 4-2-4 — means the final line-up may shift.
Match details and group context
Belgium take on Iran at the Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday, June 21, 2026, with kick-off at 8pm BST. The match will be broadcast live on ITV in the UK. Both sides are level on one point after their opening games: Belgium drew 1-1 with Egypt, while Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand. Victory is crucial for either side’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stage.
Iran arrive with their most balanced squad in decades, though significant absences have shaken the camp. Sardar Azmoun, the nation’s third-highest scorer, has been omitted entirely. Captain Mehdi Taremi — with 60 goals in over 100 international appearances — leads the line alongside Shahriyar Moghanlou. Midfielder Saman Ghoddos is a game-time decision after sustaining an ankle knock in the opener, while Roozbeh Cheshmi is also carrying a knock. Ehsan Hajsafi closes in on Javad Nekounam’s appearance record for Iran.
The fixture is set against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran. Belgian defender Thomas Meunier acknowledged the added motivation for their opponents. “The current situation could well spur the Iranian team on. You see players who are highly motivated to make their people proud. That’s an added challenge for us,” Meunier said, adding that some Iranian players may have family members affected by the war. Iran’s participation in the tournament had been in doubt, with reports of cancelled warm-up friendlies and ongoing uncertainty — a situation Taremi has described as a “disaster”.
Belgium have never faced Iran in any competition, making this a historic first meeting between the two nations.
