RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Belgium center back Zeno Debast, who has not appeared in a World Cup match this summer due to injury, participated in his first training session of the tournament on Sunday.
Debast underwent a follow-up MRI scan on Saturday for a leg injury, which he said was “positive.” The 22-year-old defender injured his leg last month while training with Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon.
“Everything is going as planned,” Debast said. “So, we are positive. I feel good. Today, I can partially take part (in) the team training. So, yeah, it’s going good.”
Debast warmed up with the 26-man squad, then practiced on his own with a coach during the portion of Sunday’s training session that was open to the media. Without Debast, Belgium opened the group stage with two draws before a 5-1 victory over New Zealand on Friday night, to advance to the knockout round atop Group G.
“As a player, it is not easy to watch your team train and play without being able to participate,” Debast said in French. “But, I am grateful to be here and to be able to work on my return here."
Debast has 26 matches for Belgium and was on the 2022 World Cup roster in Qatar. It is unclear whether coach Rudi Garcia would insert Debast into the starting lineup whenever he is deemed fit to play.
During the French portion of his press conference, Debast said that he cannot pinpoint when he will return, nor does he want to put that pressure on himself.
“I want to be at 100%,” Debast said. “That’s the only way to help the team. If it were up to me, I’d already be on the field. I’m coming back from a tough season, with a few injuries.”
Belgium’s first knockout round game is on Wednesday in Seattle against Senegal, which is coming off a 5-0 rout of Iraq. Debast commended the Senegal side, which is led by Sadio Mane, but is confident in Belgium’s ability to advance.
“I think it will be a good game, one knowing that we also have the qualities,” Debast said in English. “If we are in good form and we continue in a positive way like our last game, I think it will be a very good game.”
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
These days, life can feel like it has been turned upside-down. What was relied upon as norma… Read moreInspirational Talk - “A Spiritual Revolution: The Quest to Experience God”
Expedia Cruises invites you to experience travel at its most refined. From intimate wildlife… Read moreElite Explorers Expo
Be a winemaker for an evening and craft your own Bordeaux-style blend. Read moreIntroduction to Wine Blending
CA Is Burning said:
CA Is Burning said:
CA Is Burning said:
Dirk van Ulden said:
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.