Belgium winger Jeremy Doku has opened up about the Doku health scare that left him coughing blood during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to a video shared on Doku’s YouTube channel, the Manchester City star suffered severe breathing difficulties, chest pain and exhaustion during Belgium’s campaign.
Doku said the illness began after Belgium’s pre-World Cup friendly against Tunisia. Although he initially believed he had recovered, he later developed a persistent cough.
The 24-year-old said he could barely speak without coughing and struggled to complete normal activities.
“I started coughing every second. I couldn’t say a word without coughing,” Doku said.
His condition worsened after he attended church with other members of the Belgian team. Doku recalled feeling an intense pain in his chest that made breathing and movement difficult.
He described the pain as unlike anything he had previously experienced.
“Suddenly, here in my chest, I felt a pain that I’ve never felt before,” he said. “I couldn’t move, I couldn’t breathe in.”
Doku health scare worsens during tournament
Belgium’s medical team gave Doku medication before the squad travelled to the United States for its World Cup matches.
However, the winger said his condition continued to deteriorate. He struggled during training sessions and became tired more quickly than usual.
Doku eventually noticed blood when he coughed, increasing concerns about his health.
“I couldn’t train properly that week,” he said. “I was quickly tired, and my coughing was still not gone. I even started coughing blood at one point.”
Another painful episode later forced him to seek emergency medical care in the early hours of the morning.
Doctors conducted several tests, and Doku said they discovered fluid in his lungs. He added that the medical team described the development as uncommon.
Despite receiving further medication, the winger continued experiencing pain whenever he attempted to run or train.
The illness prevented him from performing at his usual level and forced him to discuss his condition with Belgium coach Rudi Garcia.
Doku said he told the coach that he could not play while experiencing such severe pain.
“I spoke to the coach and told him, ‘Impossible. I cannot even run without feeling a heavy pain,’” he recalled.
The respiratory problem eventually ruled him out of Belgium’s group-stage match against Iran.
Wife goes into labour unexpectedly
While Doku dealt with the illness, he received unexpected news about his pregnant wife.
Belgium’s team manager woke him at about 6am and informed him that his wife’s water had broken several weeks before her expected delivery date.
Doku said the news shocked him because the couple had expected the baby to arrive in July.
He immediately decided to return to London for the birth, explaining that his condition had already made him unavailable for Belgium.
“I told them, ‘Guys, I’m not able to play either way, so I’m going to go back to see my son,’” he said.
Doku added that Belgium’s officials immediately supported his decision and allowed him to leave the camp.
His departure attracted widespread public attention during the tournament. Some commentators questioned whether a player should leave a World Cup camp for childbirth.
However, the Belgian Football Federation and Doku’s teammates supported his decision to be present with his wife.
Doku prepares for fatherhood with YouTube videos
Doku said he used the journey to London to prepare for the delivery by watching videos about how husbands could assist their wives during labour.
He also sought advice from his father and other family members because he did not want to arrive at the hospital unprepared.
“I was first looking on YouTube to see how I could help my wife during labour,” he said.
“I didn’t want to get there and not know what to do. I was watching videos, asking my dad and other people.”
The winger praised his wife for the strength she displayed throughout the delivery.
Their son, named Praise, arrived safely despite being born earlier than expected. Doku described the timing as divine.
He admitted that meeting his child produced emotions he had never experienced before.
“Seeing him, I was like, ‘He’s so little, so cute,’” Doku said.
He explained that his wife had already developed a connection with their son during the pregnancy, while fatherhood initially felt new and unfamiliar to him.
Doku returns to Belgium camp
Doku later returned to Belgium’s World Cup camp and resumed training after his illness and brief absence.
Coach Garcia acknowledged that he had missed several training sessions and was not immediately ready to complete a full match.
The winger returned to action as Belgium progressed through the competition and reached the quarter-finals.
Spain eventually eliminated the Red Devils, ending Doku’s eventful tournament.
Reflecting on the experience, the Manchester City player admitted that illness prevented him from making the impact he had expected.
However, the birth of his first child transformed a difficult period into one of the most memorable moments of his life.
Doku said the experience changed his perspective and strengthened his desire to become a responsible father.
The Doku health scare also revealed the seriousness of the breathing problems that affected his performance and temporarily removed him from Belgium’s squad.
Despite the physical pain and disappointment on the pitch, Doku left the tournament grateful for his recovery and the arrival of his son.
