Belgian forwards Lukaku and De Ketelaere boost Belgium at World Cup 2026

Romelu Lukaku, Belgium's leading striker, attracted global attention during the 2026 World Cup when a video showed him seamlessly switching among eight languages – French, English, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, German and Lingala – a skill highlighted by UEFA years earlier. His multilingual ability assists his integration with teammates, coaches and officials across clubs and national team duties.

Charles De Ketelaere, the 25‑year‑old Atalanta forward, emerged as Belgium’s primary attacker in the tournament, scoring both goals in the round‑of‑16 victory over the United States and earning a starting “9” role for the quarter‑final clash with Spain. His rise follows productive seasons in Serie A and a reputation for versatility in attack.

Together, their performances have helped Belgium advance to the quarter‑finals of the World Cup, underscoring the team’s strong showing in the competition.