Belgium has named its starting eleven for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match against Iran, scheduled for June 21, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles. The announcement comes with a notable absence: winger Jeremy Doku has been ruled out due to illness.
The Red Devils enter this fixture with a degree of urgency. Their opening group match ended in a draw against Egypt, meaning anything less than three points against Iran would put their knockout stage ambitions in serious jeopardy.
Belgium’s lineup and the Doku problem
Belgium’s predicted starting XI features Thibaut Courtois between the posts, with Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans anchoring the midfield. Kevin De Bruyne is expected to pull the strings behind Romelu Lukaku, who leads the line as the focal point of Belgium’s attack.
Doku’s absence through illness is a significant blow. The winger has been one of Belgium’s most dynamic attacking threats, and losing him removes a layer of unpredictability from the Red Devils’ offensive options. Manager Domenico Tedesco will need to find alternative width on the flanks.
