The Belgium national team has confirmed news that directly impacts the appeal of its upcoming international matches in North American territory. Star striker Romelu Lukaku will not participate in the friendly matches scheduled against the United States this Saturday and against Mexico next Tuesday. According to the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), the 32-year-old attacker has decided to use this FIFA window to "optimize his physical condition", prioritizing his full recovery after a first half of the season marked by injuries. With an impressive record of 89 goals in 124 international matches, Lukaku's absence leaves a difficult-to-fill gap in Belgium's offensive scheme. The striker is going through a complex period at his current club, Napoli, where reports indicate that head coach Antonio Conte has given priority to Danish striker Rasmus Højlund in the starting lineups. Faced with this lack of regularity, Lukaku's primary objective is to carry out specific work that will allow him to arrive in peak condition for the final stretch of the European season and, above all, for the 2026 World Cup, which will begin in less than three months, from June 11 to July 19.
LUKAKU WILL NOT PLAY AGAINST MEXICO Romelu Lukaku will not participate in Belgium's upcoming friendlies against the United States and Mexico. He has chosen to focus on optimizing his physical condition.
Despite the significant loss of Lukaku and the already known absence of Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was recently injured, not all news is negative for the European side. Fans attending the stadiums in the United States will be able to celebrate the return of Kevin De Bruyne, who is returning to national team action after several months out due to physical problems. The match against Mexico, which was shaping up to be one of the major tests for the team led by Javier Aguirre before the World Cup, thus loses one of its most high-profile figures. However, the confrontation in Chicago remains vital for both teams in their final preparation for the world's most important tournament.
