File Photo: Belgium's forward #10 Romelu Lukaku (R) controls the ball in the air during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J European qualification football match between Belgium and Wales at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. AFP
Rudi Garcia's Belgium begin their preparations for this summer's tournament in North America with friendlies against two of the co-host nations -- they will play the US in Atlanta on Saturday before taking on Mexico in Chicago on April 1.
But they will do so without 32-year-old Lukaku who has decided not to take part in the matches in order to work on his fitness.
Lukaku has endured a tough season with his club Napoli, where he now find himself playing second fiddle to Dane Rasmus Hojlund, and as such will take time to regain his form after being sidelined through injury during the first half of the season.
He has made just seven appearances for the Serie A champions in all competitions this term.
The absence of the man who has scored 89 goals in 124 appearances for Belgium is another blow for Garcia, who is already without two other forwards -- Club Brugge's Hans Vanaken and Leandro Trossard of Arsenal.
Garcia had said on Friday that he intended to use the World Cup warm-up fixtures to help Lukaku "get back to match fitness".
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who picked up an injury last week while playing for Real Madrid, is the other notable absentee from a Belgium squad that welcomes back former Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne after several months on the sidelines.
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