Manchester City and Belgium winger Jeremy Doku has opened up about a traumatic health emergency he experienced during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, the 24-year-old athlete described how his condition escalated from a persistent cough into severe chest pain and internal complications.
The trouble began following Belgium’s game against Tunisia. Doku recalled that his condition worsened significantly after a team outing to church, where he experienced sudden, immobilizing chest pain that made it nearly impossible to breathe. Despite receiving medication and traveling with the team to the United States, his health failed to improve. He eventually began coughing up blood, leading to an emergency hospital visit where medical professionals identified fluid in his lungs.
Unable to participate in training or matches, Doku realized he could no longer represent the team effectively. His situation changed rapidly when he received word that his wife had gone into labor, weeks ahead of their original schedule. Recognizing he was in no position to compete, Doku departed the national camp to return to London. He described the arrival of his son, Praise, as a divine intervention that allowed him to focus on his family during his recovery.
