FIFA World Cup 2026: Doku, Lukaku not ready for 90 minutes of action, says Belgium coach
Vancouver, June 26
Belgium winger Jeremy Doku and star striker Romelu Lukaku are not ready for full 90 minutes of action, said head coach Rudi Garcia ahead of their all-important final league stage FIFA World Cup match against Belgium scheduled for Thursday.
Having played out frustrating draws against Egpyt (1-1) and Iran (0-0), Belgium, the 2018 bronze medal holders, will be aiming to secure their round of 32 spot by stamping their authority against New Zealand with plenty of goals.
Doku returned to the team on Tuesday, after the birth of his son, which caused him to leave the national team camp for a while. He featured in the 1-1 draw against Egypt but gave the Iran clash a miss due to breathing issues faced while training.
Garcia said to reporters, as quoted by Reuters, "Jeremy came back three days ago. So, he only participated in the practice today. He did a little more, but he did not train for seven days, and that is not insignificant."
"So, we're thrilled to have him back. He is probably not going to play for 90 minutes. But we know that he can make a difference once on the pitch."
"But all our game is not based upon one player. It is the collective spirit. That is the true force of Belgium," added the coach.
Lukaku, still searching for his first goal in the tournament, will also be unable to play full 90 minutes of the match, with the coach saying that while he is fit, he "cannot handle 90 minutes"
"Lukaku cannot handle 90 minutes," Garcia added. "If he starts, he will be substituted. If he does not start, he can help us from the bench. But he is fit."
Belgium defender Brandon Mechele said that they will need to match the intensity of New Zealand, who are at the bottom of the table with one point.
"We need to match their intensity. If we manage that, I don't see a problem for us," defender Mechele said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting how Garcia is managing player fitness so carefully. Doku's breathing issues are concerning though - hope it's nothing serious. The Belgium squad depth should be enough to handle New Zealand regardless. Need to see that collective spirit the coach mentioned! 🤞
Honestly, Lukaku hasn't looked sharp this tournament. Maybe coming off the bench will actually help him rediscover his rhythm. As for Doku, his pace can be a game-changer even for 20-30 minutes. But Belgium's real problem is their midfield creativity - too many draws against supposedly weaker teams!
If Belgium are struggling against Egypt and Iran, something is seriously off. New Zealand might be bottom but they'll smell blood. Garcia's cautious approach with key players makes sense but they need to start winning - draws won't get them through the group stage! ⚽
Good sports management from Rudi Garcia! In Indian cricket we often see players rushed back - glad Belgium are taking the cautious route with Doku after his personal time and health issues. The World Cup is a marathon, not a sprint! 👏
Belgium need to seriously improve their finishing. Two draws against teams they should've beaten comfortably! Having Lukaku and Doku as impact subs might actually work if the starters can create chances early. But I'm not convinced about their so-called 'golden generation' anymore - they're past their prime! 🙄
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