Romelu Lukaku has been included in Belgium’s 26-man squad for the World Cup in Qatar despite major concerns over his hamstring injury.
Head coach Roberto Martinez said he hopes Lukaku will feature in the group stages, but plans to have him available for the knockouts should Belgium make it that far.
Lukaku has played only five games for Inter Milan this season, having previously been sidelined for two months because of a hamstring injury.
After announcing a squad that includes mainstays Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard, Martinez insisted he was not giving “special treatment” to Lukaku because of his importance to the team.
“The World Cup has two very different phases,” Martinez said. “One is the group phase, and that is the only phase we can prepare for — the three games that we have.
“But then there is another World Cup, which is the knockout rounds. And medically, we feel that Romelu Lukaku at this point could make that second World Cup.”
Lukaku, who hurt his thigh two games into his comeback from hamstring problems, has been undergoing treatment with Belgium’s medical staff and his fitness will be monitored until Nov. 22 — the day before the team’s opening game in Group F against Canada.
Regulations state teams can replace players in the squad up to 24 hours before its first game.
Morocco and Croatia are also in the same group as Belgium, the world’s No. 2-ranked team.
Because of Lukaku’s injury status, Martinez opted to pick a third center forward in Loïs Openda, who has made only four appearances for Belgium. Michy Batshuayi is likely to start as Belgium’s striker in Lukaku’s absence.
Martinez said his hardest decision was to leave out experienced center back Dedryck Boyata, preferring Wout Faes and Zeno Debast instead.
Belgium Squad:
Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge).
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Royal Antwerp), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Leander Dendoncker (Aston Villa), Wout Faes (Leicester), Arthur Theate (Rennes), Jan Vertonghen (Benfica), Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund), Timothy Castagne (Leicester).
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Amadou Onana (Everton), Youri Tielemans (Belgium), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund).
Forwards: Michy Batshuayi (Fenerbahce), Charles De Ketelaere (AC Milan), Jérémy Doku (Rennes), Eden Hazard (Real Madrid), Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan), Dries Mertens (Galatasaray), Loïs Openda (Lens), Leandro Trossard (Brighton).
