Belgium star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne not taking 4th World Cup appearance for granted

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Kevin De Bruyne has accomplished plenty in his decorated career. Yet, the star Belgian midfielder does not plan to take his fourth World Cup appearance for granted.

Two days ahead of Belgium’s World Cup opener against Egypt, the 35-year-old De Bruyne stressed much has changed since his days as a Premier League sensation for Manchester City. Nearly two decades removed from representing his home country for the first time and 119 appearances later, the two-time Premier League player of the season considers himself grateful to do so.

“It’s an honor for me to still be here after playing for the national team for about 16 years. So, that means I’ve done something good,” De Bruyne said with a laugh during the English portion of Saturday’s press conference. “Hopefully I can play a good tournament and do something well for Belgium.”

The 2025-26 season, his first with Serie A club Napoli, was a challenging one for De Bruyne after 10 years at City, during which he scored 108 goals in 285 games to help the English club to six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League trophy. In October, De Bruyne had a severe lesion to his thigh muscle and did not return until March 6.

Since March, De Bruyne has appeared in 10 Serie A matches, as well as four friendlies for Belgium. In the most recent, on June 6, he scored during a 5-0 victory against Tunisia.

Before Belgium’s practice at the training facility of Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders, De Bruyne declared himself ready for the tournament.

“I have done everything I could to get fit,” De Bruyne said in French, “and I feel that way too.”

Even with a clean bill of health, De Bruyne knows he has fewer chances to play for the Belgium national team. The Drongen, Belgium, native admitted as much, noting he doesn’t have another 10 years remaining in his career, and that he wants to enjoy all aspects of this tournament.

De Bruyne’s perspective is significantly different from previous stints with the Belgium national team, and his City tenure.

“You are only focused on winning and the next match,” De Bruyne said, “but after you have won, it is suddenly over.”

De Bruyne doesn't plan to ease back on his intensity with teammates. But, with other star players like winger Jérémy Doku on the roster, De Bruyne recognizes the onus for winning does not fall solely on him, or seasoned veterans like striker Romelu Lukaku or goalkeeper Thibault Courtois.

The 24-year-old Doku, a teammate with De Bruyne at City for two seasons, has impressed the veteran.

“Defending Jérémy for 90 minutes is impossible,” De Bruyne said. “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.”

What qualifies as a “top tournament” for this Belgian side, though, is highly subjective. With holdovers from the “Golden Generation” teams like De Bruyne, Lukaku and Courtois, Belgium is still to be taken seriously as a threat to go all the way in the tournament, especially considering its relatively favorable draw in Group G with Egypt, New Zealand and Iran.

Still, after a historic third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Belgium did not advance past the group stage in 2022 in Qatar. If Belgium is to recapture the momentum of that 2018 performance, having De Bruyne in top form would go a long way.

De Bruyne will have a chance to turn back the clock quickly when he and Belgium square off against former Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Egypt in their World Cup opener on Monday.

“I played against Mo for 10 years,” De Bruyne said. “Our kids also went to the same school. So, I saw him from time to time. And, he’s a really nice guy. So, it will be nice to see him. It will be nice to compete again like old times.”

Center back Zeno Debast, who was absent from the portions of both Wednesday’s and Thursday’s training sessions that were open to the media, remains part of the Belgian squad for the World Cup. In a statement released by the team in French, it was determined in consultation with both the technical and medical staffs that Debast will remain part of the roster.

The 22-year-old Debast injured his leg last month while training with Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon and is not expected to be available until later in the tournament. Debast has 26 matches for Belgium and was on the 2022 World Cup roster in Qatar.

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Nathan Ngoy, left, Kevin De Bruyne, center, and Koni De Winter , right, of the national soccer team of Belgium prepare to depart for the 2026 Soccer World Cup at Brussels international airport, in Zaventem, Belgium, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/ Omar Havana)

Tunisia's Hadj Mahmoud, left, challenges for the ball with Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne during the international friendly soccer match between Belgium and Tunisia in Brussels, Belgium, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne scores his side's third goal during the international friendly soccer match between Belgium and Tunisia in Brussels, Belgium, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Kevin De Bruyne of the national soccer team of Belgium prepares to depart for the 2026 Soccer World Cup at Brussels international airport, in Zaventem, Belgium, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/ Omar Havana)

Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne speaks at Providence Swedish Performance Center and Clubhouse, the Seattle Sounders practice facility, in Renton, Wash., on June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Destin)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — J.T. Realmuto hit a three-run homer and the Philadelphia Phillies scored five times in the sixth inning before holding on for a 9-8 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night.

Bryson Stott put the Phillies ahead 4-3 in the sixth with his second RBI double of the game. Realmuto followed with his fourth home run this season, and Bryce Harper added a sacrifice fly later in the inning.

Edmundo Sosa homered in the second, and Realmuto had an RBI single in a two-run fourth as the Phillies opened a 3-0 lead. Sosa, Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber and Brandon Marsh each had three of Philadelphia's 17 hits — one night after the Phillies were limited to one as Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski struck out 15 batters on 95 overpowering pitches in his first career shutout.

Jackson Chourio homered twice and went 4 for 5 with four RBIs for the Brewers, who have lost three of four following a four-game winning streak. Garrett Mitchell hit a two-run shot for the NL Central leaders.

Milwaukee made it 8-5 in the seventh when Chourio hit a two-run drive to center field, his second homer of the night. It was Chourio’s second multihomer game this season and the fourth of his career.

Marsh added an RBI single in the eighth before the Brewers scored three runs off Brad Keller in the bottom half. Mitchell scored on a wild pitch, Christian Yelich delivered a sacrifice fly and Chourio had an RBI single before Keller struck out Brice Turang. William Contreras, who had three hits, fouled out to end the inning.

Tim Mayza (2-1) retired Mitchell with runners at the corners to end the fifth, keeping the score tied at 3.

Jhoan Duran pitched a perfect ninth for his 18th save.

Brewers starter Shane Drohan (3-2) was lifted after allowing Marsh's leadoff single in the sixth. Drohan struck out a career-high seven and walked none but was charged with four runs and eight hits.

Chad Patrick replaced Drohan and gave up hits to the first five batters he faced. Patrick allowed four runs and five hits in one inning.

Cristopher Sánchez (8-2, 1.54 ERA) starts Sunday for Philadelphia against fellow left-hander Kyle Harrison (7-1, 2.72) and the Brewers in a marquee matchup.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio hits a two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Luis Rengifo slides past Philadelphia Phillies' J.T. Realmuto to score a run during the eighth inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Philadelphia Phillies' J.T. Realmuto celebrates with Bryson Stott after hitting a three-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Philadelphia Phillies' J.T. Realmuto rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Philadelphia Phillies' J.T. Realmuto hits a three-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)