Lukaku and De Bruyne’s Napoli return dates confirmed, McTominay first to arrive after World Cup | OneFootball

Massimiliano 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.