Belgium Faces Iran Without Jeremy Doku as World Cup Qualification Hopes Hang in Balance

Doku had been part of the starting XI in Belgium's World Cup opener last Monday. In that match against Egypt-which ended in a 1-1 draw-he played until the 86th minute. It is also reported that, a week prior to the opener, he had left a training session early after experiencing breathing difficulties. Addressing this major setback during a press conference, Belgium's head coach Rudi Garcia stated unequivocally, "He cannot play. We will play without him. I knew as early as Friday evening that he wouldn't be playing. I do not want to field players who are not fully fit; 100 percent fitness is paramount. I am confident that we will win the next match."

Jeremy Doku has been one of Manchester City's most vital and influential players over the past year. He played a crucial role in helping his club reach the finals-and secure titles-in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. He also recently signed a new, long-term contract with the club.

Belgium currently holds the 10th spot in the global FIFA rankings. After drawing their opening match against Egypt, Belgium must secure a victory against Iran to advance in the tournament. Looking at history, the only previous encounter between Belgium and Iran took place during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where Iran defeated Belgium 1-0.