Belgium's World Cup camp opens in Seattle: Doku cuts session short, Debast remains sidelined

First session in the Pacific Northwest

Belgium's 26-man World Cup squad held its first field session on Tuesday morning at the Providence Swedish Performance Center, the training complex of MLS side Seattle Sounders. The session began at 10 a.m. local time (7 p.m. in Belgium). All 25 available outfield players and goalkeepers took part, with the sole exception of Sporting CP defender Zeno Debast, who worked indoors with a physiotherapist as he recovers from a thigh injury. He is expected to miss the entire group stage.

Doku's early exit

Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku shortened his training session due to discomfort. According to Het Laatste Nieuws, the issue is not serious, and Doku should resume normal training on Wednesday. His participation in the opening match against Egypt on 15 June is not in jeopardy. Doku arrives as one of the form players in the squad.

Weather and conditions

Players faced blustery conditions during the open portion of the session, with wind strong enough to nearly tear down a giant banner reading "L'union fait la force" that welcomed the team. Rain had stopped by the time training began, but temperatures were cool enough that several players, including Romelu Lukaku, Doku, Dodi Lukebakio, and Maxim De Cuyper, wore training pants. Nathan Ngoy and Matias Fernandez-Pardo trained in tights. The forecast for the Egypt match, however, points to unusually warm weather — around 31°C, roughly 8 degrees above the average June temperature for the region.

Squad notes and atmosphere

Nineteen of the 25 players wore pink boots, a fashion trend that is expected to continue throughout the tournament. Goalkeeper Mike Penders, on loan from Chelsea to Strasbourg, initially joined the outfield players for a lap before being redirected to the goalkeeping unit, still adjusting to the routine of separate training. Fourth goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt, who had been with the group in Tubize, was unable to travel to the United States due to tournament regulations and has returned home.

Camp logistics

The team is staying at the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington in Renton, southeast of downtown Seattle. The Sounders' training facility, officially inaugurated in 2024, features four full-size international-standard pitches — two natural grass and two synthetic. Seattle, with a metropolitan population of roughly 3.6 million, was chosen partly for its mild Mediterranean climate, which resembles Belgium's. Training on Wednesday is scheduled for 11 a.m. local time, with session times gradually shifting to help players adjust to the nine-hour time difference. The first press conference is set for Wednesday; no player or coach interviews were held on Tuesday. Federation officials and head coach Rudi Garcia met with a local Native American tribe.

Doku would be back in collective training this Wednesday. His participation in Monday's match against Egypt would not be in danger.