INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) \u2014 Belgium\u2019s J\u00e9r\u00e9my Doku will not play in his team\u2019s World Cup match against Iran on Sunday due to illness.<\/p>\n
The Manchester City winger was ruled out Saturday by the Red Devils for the match at SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles area.<\/p>\n
The speedy Doku started Belgium\u2019s World Cup opener last Monday and played into the 86th minute of a 1-1 draw with Egypt<\/a>. Doku reportedly left a practice early<\/a> due to breathing issues during the week before the opening match.<\/p>\n Doku has been in the spotlight in recent days after telling reporters that he planned to leave the team if necessary<\/a> for the birth of his first child during the World Cup. Doku\u2019s wife is due in early July, during the knockout stages.<\/p>\n Belgium is 10th in FIFA\u2019s world rankings<\/a>, but it needs a strong result against Iran to stay on track to win its group after being held to that surprising draw by Egypt. The Red Devils finish group-stage play against New Zealand on Friday.<\/p>\n If the Red Devils win their group and their first knockout-round match, they would face the co-host U.S.<\/a> on July 6 in the round of 16 if the Americans also win their first knockout-round match against a third-place team.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n