Rudi Garcia insisted that he would not rush Romelu Lukaku's return to the Belgium side, tempering expectations of a start in their opening game of the World Cup. 

Lukaku endured an injury-hit campaign for Napoli in 2025-26, making just seven substitute appearances in all competitions after struggling with hamstring and muscle issues. 

The 33-year-old was selected for Belgium's 26-man World Cup squad, and got himself on the scoresheet in a pre-tournament victory over Croatia on Tuesday. 

Belgium won 2-0 at Stadion HNK Rijeka, with captain Youri Tielemans also on target for the Red Devils, who face Tunisia on Saturday before their World Cup campaign starts. 

Lukaku's strike against Croatia was his 90th for Belgium, more than any other player for the country, while his five goals at the World Cup are the joint-most by a Belgian player at the tournament, along with Marc Wilmots. 

However, ahead of facing Tunisia at Stade Roi Baudouin, Garcia insisted Lukaku still has a long way to go before becoming a mainstay in his starting Belgium team. 

"We must keep our ​feet on the ground," Garcia told reporters. "We must not rush anything. I was very ​happy with Romelu's goal against Croatia, just like the rest of the ​squad.

"That's very important because Romelu lives to score goals. Mentally, that was therefore very ‌positive.

"But ⁠the big danger now is that you – the media and the supporters – will start thinking that he is completely ready again.

"He has come a long way and still has some distance to go. Thinking that he will ​start against Egypt ​is still far ⁠too premature."

Belgium begin their Group G campaign against Egypt on June 15, with fixtures against Iran and New Zealand to follow in the first stage of the competition in North America. 

"He has barely ​played this season and has hardly even trained with ​the group," Garcia added on the situation surrounding Lukaku. 

"So more time will be needed to get him ready to play for more than half an hour. Especially if we want to keep him fit.

"There is ⁠a very ​good chance that he will play around ​25 minutes against Tunisia, but it is unlikely to be much more than that."

But one player who will be hoping to make an impact for Belgium is Leandro Trossard, who comes into the tournament off the back of a fine campaign for Arsenal. 

Trossard registered 18 goal involvements (eight goals, 10 assists) in 50 outings across competitions, while also helping Arsenal end their 22-year wait for the Premier League title.

The Arsenal midfielder joined up with his international team-mates late, having taken part in the Champions League final, which they lost on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain. 

And despite falling short of European glory, Trossard believes that winning the Premier League will be a positive he can use to try to help Belgium. 

"It's very good when players arrive here having ‌won titles, ⁠but that doesn't change your status," Trossard said. 

"Not mine either, but I will try to bring that experience into the national team. We've had a very good season with Arsenal.

"Of course, it's disappointing how the Champions League ended. Penalty shoot-outs are a lottery, and ​it was stressful to ​experience it from ⁠the sidelines.

"But we've still had a fantastic season, and we're very proud of winning the English title."