Belgium Loses Jérémy Doku for Iran Match After 1-1 Egypt Draw

Q: Between a lingering illness and his child's due date, has Jérémy Doku already played his last match of this World Cup?

No. As of now, there is no confirmation that Jérémy Doku has played his last match of this World Cup. Belgium have ruled him out only for Sunday’s group game against Iran, with coach Rudi Garcia saying the winger is not medically fit after a respiratory illness that has lingered for at least two weeks. Reports describe it as a bad cold or infection affecting his breathing, and he is being treated with antibiotics. Belgian officials have indicated the aim is to rest him now and try to have him available for the final group match against New Zealand on June 26. That means his tournament is still alive on the medical side. Belgium are not eliminating him from the squad, and there is still a realistic path for him to return if his condition improves over the next several days. The childbirth issue is more of a later-stage risk than an immediate one. Doku has said he would leave the team if needed for the birth of his first child, which is due in early July. That timing would likely affect the knockout rounds, not the current group stage, and only if Belgium advance. So the most accurate answer is that Doku may miss more matches, but it is too early to say he is done for the tournament. The immediate expectation is that Belgium will try to get him back for New Zealand, while any absence for the birth would depend on both his family timing and Belgium’s progress in the competition.

3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jun 20

Jérémy Doku was ruled out Saturday for Belgium's World Cup game against Iran at SoFi Stadium because of illness, removing a starter from the Red Devils' lineup.
The Manchester City winger played until the 86th minute of Belgium's 1-1 draw with Egypt on Monday and had already left a practice early this week with reported breathing issues.
Belgium, ranked No. 10 by FIFA, needs a strong result against Iran to stay on course to win its group after dropping points in that opener.
The Red Devils close group play against New Zealand on Friday, with a potential July 6 round-of-16 meeting with co-host the United States still in play.