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Lukaku says Belgium must fight to remain in World Cup as search for first win continues
22nd June, 2026 08:38 AM
Romelu Lukaku has challenged his Belgium teammates to stay calm and focus on their match as the team hunts for its maiden win in the 2026 World Cup
The Red Devils were forced to contend with another dropped point in their second group G match on Sunday, June 21, 2026, after a ten-man team ended their encounter against Iran in a 0-0 draw.
Rudi Garcia’s men also failed to impose themselves in their opener four days ago and needed the introduction of the nation’s all-time leading goal scorer to force an own goal from Mohammed Hany to snatch a point against Egypt.
“We have to stay with the emotions, stay calm, and keep our composure,” striker Romelu Lukaku said to FIFA. “That is something that we have to improve on. I think the players know that as well.”
“Desire and commitment to the cause,” Lukaku said about what they need to bring to the table against the All Whites. “It is a World Cup, it’s the biggest tournament, the biggest stage. We don’t want to go home. We want to go as far as possible and we want to put ourselves in the greatest position. Let’s go for it,’ he charged.
Despite almost 70 per cent possession and 23 attempts at Los Angeles Stadium, the most for Belgium in a World Cup game without scoring since USA 1994, the Red Devils were unable to take the lead against a resolute Iranian side.
Proceedings almost turned sour for the European powerhouse, who were forced to finish the final half hour of the game with ten men after a red card to centre back Nathan Ngoy.
Reflecting on the results, Garcia rued their lost chances in what he described as a dominant performance.
“We expected to dominate, and we did,” Garcia said. “So tactically, in terms of the game plan, we played as we wanted to. The Iranian team were going to hit us hard on the breakaways, and their set pieces are very good. We responded well, but we could have done better; maybe we were a little naïve. If you are not efficient, you can’t score, and if you don’t score, you can’t win the match,” he stated in an interview with FIFA.
Belgium is now ranked third in the group behind leaders, Egypt and Iran, with a final group clash against New Zealand next on their roster
