‘Like old times’ – De Bruyne relishes Salah showdown in World Cup opener
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The winger is a key player for Rudi Garcia’s team, heading into the tournament off the back of an impressive Premier League season.He scored five goals in qualifying for Belgium, who begin their World Cup campaign against Egypt at 20:00 UK time on Monday.
But Doku could be unavailable if Belgium reach the latter stages, with his wife due in the second week of July, during the quarter-finals.
“It depends on when it happens, but it’s my first child, so I would definitely want to be there,” the 24-year-old told reporters.
“If you ask me what I want, my answer is that nobody wants to miss the birth of their first child. But I also know that football involves many other considerations.
“I know the federation supports its players and understands their situations. We’ll see what we can do.”
Expectations are somewhat lower for Belgium in 2026, with the nation’s golden generation of players now mostly retired.
‘Dancing feet of Doku impossible to stop’ as Man City double lead
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Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku remain, but Doku has outlined his aim to “take responsibility” as the new star man.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” he told FourFourTwo. “This will be my second World Cup, but my first with a different role, a more important role.
“People will look towards me more to make a difference with the experience I have now. Playing for City, and how I’ve been performing, it’s given me another role in the national team.
“It’s my turn to take more responsibility – especially in the bad moments, when maybe it’s more difficult, when we’re losing or not playing that well.
“I can go and get the ball, show no fear, play my game and be dangerous, to create opportunities for the team.”
He added: “I have a real winner’s mentality – especially after playing for City, that really grew in me.
“When I go to play with the national team, that stays with me, and if you want to win, you have to communicate with your team-mates, to share what you think.
“That’s what I’m doing more in the national team – I’m not shy, I’m not hiding behind anyone.
“I’m speaking my mind – in a respectful way, obviously – to try to bring the team forward, so that we can perform at the highest level.”
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Asked whether Belgium can win the World Cup for the first time, Doku said: “Everyone will say that we want to win this tournament, and I’m not going to be different.
“Everybody has that desire – to be the Belgium we used to show, and see how far we go. We know we’re not the favourites, but maybe that will work in our favour.
“We want to leave without any regrets – so that if we leave, we’ve given everything we have. Whatever is in my power, I’ll do it.”
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