Scandal in Belgium ahead of World Cup 2026: Lukaku out as ‘party boy’ | OneFootball

The striker may not continue his career at Napoli, and his call-up for football’s biggest competition is now in doubt.

Little by little, the year’s major tournament is drawing closer. Between next June and July, the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada will take place, where the Belgium national team will try to win its first title in history, even though most of the players from the Golden Generation have gradually stepped away.

Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Dries Mertens were key to Belgium finishing third in Russia 2018. And while the years have gone by, there are now fewer players left to chase that great dream. In fact, one of them may not be called up for this tournament either.

Lukaku missed his national team’s most recent matches mostly because of injuries. It is worth noting that his last appearance came against Wales, where he scored a goal, in June 2025. But now, due to disciplinary issues at Napoli, his future would be seriously jeopardized, both in Italian football and with the European national side.

According to a report published by the Italian newspaper Repubblica, the former Inter and Chelsea player would be left out of Napoli’s squad, and the club’s directors will look to sell him in the next transfer window. Why has this situation arisen? Because of an act they viewed as indiscipline.

The 32-year-old forward from Antwerp missed training sessions without any kind of authorization from the coaching staff. In fact, he stayed in his home country to recover from a muscle injury. As a result, he would be pushed aside and, after playing only 74 minutes all season, with 58 days to go before the start of the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, he may not be called up by Rudi García, who has been in charge of Les Diables Rouges since last year.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.