Belgium is expected to use Romelu Lukaku primarily as a substitute at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the team not planning to start him despite recent impactful performances. Multiple outlets report that Lukaku’s role is being shaped by his current fitness following an injury, with Belgium prioritizing his ability to be available later in matches rather than beginning games in the starting lineup. The reports note that although Lukaku has shown strong second-half effectiveness, the coaching approach focuses on managing his recovery and workload. As a result, Belgium’s game plan for the tournament is described as keeping him off the starting XI for now, at least in the initial approach. The decision is presented as injury-management driven rather than performance-based, with Belgium weighing his readiness and physical condition for full-match intensity.