Belgium World Cup squad 2022: Romelu Lukaku included despite injury problems

Inter Milan striker will be given 'every second' to regain fitness for tournament in Qatar

HOW BELGIUM QUALIFIED FOR WORLD CUP 2022: (Group E) March 24, 2021. Belgium 3 (De Bruyne 22', T Hazard 28', Lukaku pen 73') Wales 1 (Wilson 10'): The world's No 1-ranked side recovered from falling a goal down to start their campaign with a win, with Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne among the scorers. Belgium manager Roberto Martinez said: "We knew it was going to be a tough game and it became even harder in the moment we conceded the first goal. I'm pleased with the style of the performance." EPA

March 27, 2021. Czech Republic 1 (Provod 50') Belgium 1 (Lukaku 60'): Romelu Lukaku rescued a point for Belgium to make it 36 goals in his past 31 international appearances. Martinez said: "We didn't find our rhythm, or our level that we are used to. We needed to defend our box frequently. We created some good chances, but the draw is a fair result." Reuters

March 30, 2021. Belgium 8 (Batshuayi 14', Vanaken 17', 89'), Trossard 38', 75', Doku 42', Praet 49' Benteke 70') Belarus 0: Brighton's Leandro Trossard and Leicester's Dennis Praet scored their first Belgium goals in a crushing victory. The hosts had 21 attempts on goal. Martinez said: "I'm delighted with what I've seen from every player. I've seen players taking decisive roles, I was very pleased with the performance of the young guys and how this group works together." Getty

September 2, 2021. Estonia 2 (Kait 2', Sorga 83') Belgium 5 (Vanaken 22', Lukaku 29', 52', Witsel 64', Foket 76'): Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku moved up to 66 goals in 99 games for Belgium with a double as they came from behind to seal three points. "With the first goal, all credit should go to Estonia," said Martinez. "It was a great shot. That happens in football. But I'm pleased that we remained calm." AP

September 5, 2021. Belgium 3 (Lukaku 8', E Hazard 41', Saelemaekers 65') Czech Republic 0: Romelu Lukaku marked his 100th cap with an early goal that put Belgium on the way to an impressive win. Martinez said: "This game, having possession in the 'Belgian way', playing fast but smart, having the ball circulating a lot, was what I wanted to see. The players did exactly what I asked of them." AFP

September 8, 2021. Belarus 0 Belgium 1 (Praet 33'): No repeat of the eight-goal battering Belgium dealt out to Belarus this time, with Dennis Praet's first-half goal sealing a narrow win. Martinez on injury-hit Eden Hazard's appearance as a substitute: “The fact that Eden wanted to come here, that he wanted to travel this far, knowing he couldn't play 90 minutes, shows that Eden is back on every level," AFP

November 13, 2021. Belgium 3 (Benteke 11', Carrasco 53', T Hazard 74') Estonia 1 (Sorga 70'): Belgium sealed their spot in Qatar with a game to spare. Striker Christian Benteke, in for the injured Lukaku, scored the opener and hit the woodwork. Martinez said: "We did what we had to do. I would have liked to have scored the second goal in the first half. Apart from that, I am happy with the performance." AFP

November 16, 2021. Wales 1 (Moore 31') Belgium 1 (De Bruyne 12'): De Bruyne's stylish early goal put Belgium ahead only for Kieffer Moore to equalise and seal a point that would take Wales into the play-offs in front of a jumping Cardiff City Stadium. Martinez said: "We congratulate Wales, they finished second. A fantastic atmosphere. We all wish that you have a fantastic draw in the play-offs." AP

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has included Romelu Lukaku in his World Cup squad despite the striker's ongoing injury problems.

Lukaku has been suffering from a thigh injury which, coupled with a hamstring issue earlier this season, means he has played just twice for Inter Milan since August and is currently sidelined again.

The 29-year-old has made five appearances in total – scoring two goals – after moving back to the Italian side on loan from Chelsea.

But Martinez has previously stated that as long as Lukaku could feature in one of the team's Group F games against Canada, Morocco or Croatia, he would take him to the tournament.

Having named four players on a standby list – Bryan Heynen, Alexis Saelemaekers, Dodi Lukebakio and Jason Denayer – he has until 24 hours before Belgium’s first game against Canada on November 23 to call them into the squad if anyone is not fit.

“He [Lukaku] is not completely fit medically, that is clear, but the last three days has been very positive. We will give Romelu every second to be fit,” Martinez said Thursday.

“At this stage, we feel he will be able to take part in at least one of those three [group] games. But we will keep assessing and have up until November 22 to make a decision.”

Martinez pointed to Belgium's previous experience of carrying key players in the squad at major tournaments despite their injuries. In 2018, centre back Vincent Kompany was injured ahead of the first game of the World Cup in Russia but returned for the final match of the group stage and played through to the semi-finals.

Centre midfielder Axel Witsel was selected in the squad for Euro 2020 last year even though he was recovering from a serious Achilles tendon injury. He went on to make a quicker-than-expected return and featured in the group stage.

“It is not an exceptional situation for us,” added Martinez. “We want him to play as big a role as he can give.”

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.”

Because of Lukaku's injury status, Martinez opted to pick a third centre forward in Lois Openda, who has made only four appearances for Belgium. Michy Batshuayi is likely to start in Lukaku's absence.

Martinez said his hardest decision was to leave out experienced centre back Dedryck Boyata, preferring Wout Faes and Zeno Debast instead.

Hazard, meanwhile, has not played for Real Madrid in La Liga since September having fallen out of favour with coach Carlo Ancelotti, but remains a talismanic figure for his country.

“I am looking for Eden to come as captain of the squad and show what an incredible player we have,” said Martinez. “He is enjoying his football, I can see that, the only concern is the match fitness.”