Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterBelgium kick off their World Cup campaign on Monday as a team that is somewhat in transition.The Red Devils followed up their 2018 third-placed finish by crashing out in the group stage in Qatar four years later, opening the door for a new generation of stars to assume greater responsibility alongside the established players who have defined the side over the past decade.Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku is one of these bright new talents who embodies this changing of the guard, and on the eve of his second World Cup, he is ready to take the next step up.Jeremy Doku on embracing a leadership roleAt the 2022 World Cup, the 19-year-old Doku, who was then at French side Rennes, was one of the youngest players in former boss Roberto Martinezs squad as he got a first taste of a major international tournament.Now, with a �55million move under his belt and after playing three seasons under Pep Guardiola, he is ready to take on a new role with the national team. You may like I spoke with Pep Guardiola, and obviously you dont need a lot of convincing to go to Manchester City. He showed his interest in me, which made me comfortable signing Jeremy Doku on how his Etihad move came about Belgium World Cup 2026 squad: Rudi Garcia's final selection for this summer I dont remember Pep Guardiola telling me before a game, Jeremy, when you have the ball, do this and do that. He has given me a lot of freedom Jeremy Doku on the advice his former Manchester City boss handed him Im 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 Ive been performing, its given me another role in the national team. Its my turn to take more responsibility especially in the bad moments, when maybe its more difficult, when were 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.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.I have a real winners 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. Thats what Im doing more in the national team Im not shy, Im not hiding behind anyone. Im speaking my mind in a respectful way, obviously to try to bring the team forward, so that we can perform at the highest level.That role will become even more important when Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are no longer around aged 34 and 33 respectively, this summers showpiece looks likely to be their last World Cup.Theyve contributed so much to our country, and were happy theyre here and still performing at the highest level for us Im sure theyll do that at this World Cup, Doku says.With their age, at one point they wont be there any more and were conscious of that the other players must stand up. Its our duty to take that burden off them, as the country must keep on performing.Belgium may not be among that leading group of favourites to win the tournament, but Doku insists he and his team-mates will refuse to leave the tournament without having done all they can do.Everyone will say that we want to win this tournament, and Im 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 were not the favourites, but maybe that will work in our favour. We want to leave without any regrets so that if we leave, weve given everything we have. Whatever is in my power, Ill do it.TOPICSBelgiumWorld CupJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromChris FlanaganSenior Staff Writer
