Romelu Lukaku still not fit enough to start despite impact from the bench against Egypt
Belgium will be without Jeremy Doku for Sunday’s World Cup group-stage match against Iran after the winger was ruled out through illness.
The Manchester City forward started Belgium’s opening 1-1 draw with Egypt and played 86 minutes, but has been managing a respiratory problem that is understood to have affected him for at least two weeks.
Belgium’s medical staff decided he was not fit enough to feature at SoFi Stadium, with coach Rudi Garcia confirming he had known since Friday evening that Doku would be unavailable.
“He can’t play, and so we’ll be playing without him,” Garcia said. “I don’t want to get players to play if they’re not medically up for the game. I can get players to play even if they’re not 100 percent physically, but 100 percent medically is [more important]. But I’m absolutely 100 percent sure we’ll be fine and we’ll be winning tomorrow.”
Doku’s absence comes at a significant moment for Belgium, who require a positive result against Iran after dropping points in their opening match. The winger is one of the team’s most direct attacking threats and had recovered sufficiently to feature against Egypt despite concerns over his condition during the build-up to the tournament.
Attention has also focused on Doku’s personal situation after he revealed he could leave the squad temporarily should the birth of his first child coincide with the latter stages of the World Cup. His wife is expected to give birth in early July.
Garcia suggested Romelu Lukaku is unlikely to return to the starting side despite making an influential substitute appearance against Egypt. The Belgium record goalscorer is being carefully managed after an injury-hit season and is not yet considered ready to complete a full match.
“We do need to be careful, because we could be tempted to play him more than he could,” Garcia said. “But the goal is to have him play to the end [of the World Cup]. We cannot wear him out early. And then there’s competition. As long as the others are fit to play, he can play a role as the super sub. It’s his role par excellence.”
Belgium, ranked 10th in the world, entered the tournament as favourites to progress from their group but are under pressure after the draw with Egypt.
