Belgium winger Jérémy Doku returns to practice ahead of World Cup opener
Belgium's Jeremy Doku pictured during a training session of Belgian national soccer team Red Devils in their base camp, home of the Seattle Sounders, Renton, Seattle, USA, on Wednesday 10 June 2026. The Red Devils prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Dirk Waem / BELGA MAG / AFP / Getty Images)
RENTON, Wash. - Belgium winger Jérémy Doku returned to practice Wednesday, a day after reportedly leaving a training session early, as the team prepares for its World Cup opener against Egypt on Monday.
The 24-year-old Doku, who plays for Premier League club Manchester City, experienced some breathing issues on Tuesday during a closed practice, according to Belgian newspaper HLN. Before practice ended, Doku went inside the indoor training facility of Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders for precautionary reasons, the report said.
During the portion of Wednesday's training session open to reporters, Doku was a full participant. Winger Alexis Saelemaekers said he believes the national team's training staff can keep Doku in shape for the tournament.
"When Jérémy steps off the field, it is logical that there are immediate question marks," Saelemaekers said in French. "But it is nothing serious."
Doku has represented Belgium on the international level since 2020. In World Cup qualifying in 2025, Doku scored a goal in a 4-3 win over Wales. He put in two in a 7-0 victory over Liechtenstein, a result which clinched Belgium's berth in this year's World Cup.
In 42 appearances for the Belgian national team, Doku has scored seven goals.
Debast sidelined
Center back Zeno Debast was the only notable Belgium player absent from Wednesday's training session, which was expected. The 22-year-old Debast injured his leg in May during a training session with Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon and is not expected to be available until later in the tournament.
Debast has appeared in 26 matches for Belgium and was on the 2022 World Cup roster in Qatar.
The Source: Information in this story came from The Associated Press.
MORE WORLD CUP NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
Seattle soccer celebration barge docks at Pier 62
Inside Seattle Stadium: FIFA offers exclusive look at World Cup venue
Seattle prepares major transit plan for FIFA World Cup crowds
Where to watch FIFA World Cup matches in Seattle and Washington
How the 2026 FIFA World Cup bracket maps out potential powerhouse matchups
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.