Lukaku and De Bruyne's Napoli return dates confirmed, McTominay first to arrive after World Cup
Quick summary
Napoli have confirmed return dates for Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne following the World Cup, with Scott McTominay set to be the first of the trio back at the club.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceMassimiliano Allegri says that Scott McTominay and Noa Lang will be the first players to return to Napoli training after the World Cup, while Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne will be back on August 5.
Allegri was unveiled as the new Napoli coach at an event in Naples on Tuesday morning.
The Italian tactician was asked his thoughts on Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, who had a tough 2025-26 campaign under Antonio Conte. Allegri: ‘De Bruyne and Lukaku return on August 5’ “I learned from an old coach. Until I see and coach players, making judgments from outside is always very difficult,” Allegri replied, via TuttoNapoli.
“I’m taking it with me. Starting tomorrow, we’ll get to know each other. Values are important. They’ll arrive on August 5. McTominay and Lang will arrive before.
“We’ll leave with whoever is available to start the work.”
Napoli had five of their players at the World Cup: Mathias Olivera, McTominay, Lang, Lukaku and De Bruyne.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 01: Romelu Lukaku #9 of Belgium reacts after scoring the team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at Seattle Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images) However, Olivera, McTominay and Lang were eliminated in the opening stages, while Lukaku and De Bruyne’s Belgium progressed until the quarter-finals.
Napoli will start the pre-season tomorrow, Wednesday, July 15.
The Partenopei finished second in 2025-26, but during Conte’s two-year spell, they won a Scudetto and a Supercoppa Italiana.
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What happened
Napoli are coordinating the return of their key international players after the 2026 World Cup break. Scott McTominay will be the first to rejoin the squad, followed by Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne on later dates. The staggered returns reflect different national team runs in the tournament and the need for rest and recovery. Napoli will look to reintegrate these pivotal figures ahead of the resumption of domestic competition.
Chance analysis
Knowing exact return dates is critical for Napoli's fixture planning, as Lukaku and De Bruyne are central to their attacking output while McTominay provides midfield drive. Staggered returns could leave Napoli temporarily short of their best XI in the first match back. Prediction models should account for potential rotation and reduced sharpness from players who may have gone deep in the World Cup.
Napoli may field a weakened or rotated side in their first post-World Cup fixture depending on who has returned and how match-fit they are.
Adjust Napoli's attacking output expectations downward for the first match after the break if key players have limited rest and recovery time.