Belgium winger Jeremy Doku has revealed he suffered a serious respiratory illness during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, forcing him to seek emergency medical care before leaving camp for the birth of his first child.
The Manchester City forward, who was already ruled out of Belgium’s clash with Iran due to illness, had been battling a persistent respiratory infection during the tournament.
Speaking in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Doku said his condition worsened after Belgium’s match against Tunisia, developing into constant coughing and severe chest pain.
“I couldn’t speak without coughing,” he said, adding that the pain became so intense he struggled to breathe.
Despite receiving treatment and travelling with the squad, the 24-year-old said he was unable to train properly and later began coughing blood.
A subsequent hospital visit revealed fluid in his lungs, confirming the severity of the condition.
“I couldn’t even run without pain,” Doku said, noting he informed the coaching staff he was unfit to play.
Amid the health scare, Doku was told his partner had gone into labor weeks earlier than expected. He subsequently left Belgium’s camp—with the team’s approval—to be present for the birth of his son, Praise, in London.
Reflecting on the experience, the winger described the moment as both difficult and meaningful, calling the timing of his son’s birth “divine.”
