As the golden generation fades, a veteran playmaker identifies the explosive young winger ready to lead a new era and terrorise defenders at the 2026 World Cup.
Belgium come into the 2026 World Cup with a point to prove after their embarrassing exit at the group stage in Qatar in 2022.
It would be hard to say that Belgium's 'golden generation' was anything other than a failure, with their best finish a third-place finish in Russia in 2018, and the Red Devils now going through something of a transitional phase as the last members of that generation are phased out.
Rudi Garcia's squad blends experienced veterans with up-and-coming talents, and with the weight of expectations off their shoulders, Belgium could quietly have a very successful tournament.
Ahead of their opening game against Egypt, a crucial fixture in the race for first place in the group, Kevin De Bruyne spoke about his role in the upcoming tournament while highlighting one player who will be key.
Jérémy Doku will be key for Belgium
Kevin De Bruyne, now 35, will be featuring in his fourth World Cup, almost two decades removed from representing his home country for the first time, and nearly 119 appearances later, the two-time Premier League Player of the Season might be playing his final tournament for the Red Devils.
After a severe thigh injury hampered his debut Serie A season, De Bruyne has declared that he is fully fit ahead of the World Cup.
In the past, the midfielder was the centre of attention, but now that the spotlight has shifted somewhat, the 35-year-old singled out former Manchester City teammate Jérémy Doku as the player who will be key if Belgium want to have a successful campaign.
Speaking to the media, he said, "Defending Jérémy [Doku] for 90 minutes is impossible. He has also become more efficient over the past year. He has found more moments where he can choose his situations. To play a top tournament, we need a good Doku.
"In any case, he is already making my life easier."
Doku is ready to step up for Belgium
The 2026 World Cup will be the second Doku has taken part in, having been included in Roberto Martinez's squad for the 2022 World Cup at just 19, one of the youngest players in the former boss's team.
Now, four years on and a high-profile move to Manchester City later, the 24-year-old is ready to take up the torch passed to him by the likes of De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois and lead the next generation of Belgian talent.
While Doku is known for his rapid pace and excellent dribbling, the winger has added another string to his bow, with his finishing, crossing, and general decision-making in the final third drastically improving over the past two seasons at Manchester City.
Speaking to FourFourTwo, the 24-year-old previewed his role at the World Cup, acknowledging that he will be the main man for his nation going into the tournament.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Doku tells 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 also accepted that the next generation can't rely solely on the old guard, and that the side needs to help shoulder the burden.
“They’ve [De Bruyne & Lukaku] contributed so much to our country, and we’re happy they’re here and still performing at the highest level for us – I’m sure they’ll do that at this World Cup,” Doku says.
“With their age, at one point they won’t be there any more, and we’re conscious of that – the other players must stand up. It’s our duty to take that burden off them, as the country must keep on performing.”
