Belgium's World Cup match against Iran has been affected by the absence of Jeremy Doku, a 24-year-old winger from Manchester City. According to the team's medical staff, Doku has been ruled out due to illness, not the controversy surrounding his plans to attend the birth of his first child.
Doku suffered a relapse linked to a respiratory infection, forcing the team to leave him out of the squad. Speaking about the decision, Royal Belgian Football Association sporting director Vincent Mannaert said, "It is better to let him rest now and then work towards the final group match against New Zealand."
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia also backed the medical team's recommendation, stating, "I don't want to get players to play when they're not 100 per cent medically." Doku had played 86 minutes in Belgium's opening Group G match against Egypt but suffered a relapse in the days that followed.
With Doku unavailable, Leandro Trossard has been selected on the left wing, while Romelu Lukaku starts after making his return from injury against Egypt.
