New Lukaku injury for Napoli star puts 2026 World Cup in real doubt | OneFootball

Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku suffered another huge blow in his return to fitness, picking up an ankle injury while in Belgium, as his World Cup is now at risk.

The centre-forward had briefly returned to Naples last week for a meeting with the club, after which he was given permission to go back to Belgium in order to continue rehabilitation over his recurring thigh issues.

Lukaku fresh injury worry

NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli reacts after missing a penalty in the penalty shootout during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

However, HLN in Belgium report that he lasted less than an hour at the Bosuil training ground in Antwerp before clutching his ankle.

Lukaku was working with Peter Gors from MovetoCure, the physio he insisted was better suited to his recovery than the support provided for him by Napoli in Italy.

This latest setback is in a totally different place to the thigh strain that kept him out for several months in August 2025.

It remains to be seen how bad the damage is, and if it will slow down the recovery process.

He has his sights set on playing for Belgium at the 2026 World Cup, as at the age of 32, this may well be his last chance to have a starring role in the tournament.

Napoli will also be concerned, as an injured Lukaku will be a lot tougher to sell this summer.