Belgium winger Jeremy Doku has revealed he coughed blood and suffered severe chest pain during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, forcing him to get emergency medical care before later leaving the national team camp for the birth of his first child.
The Manchester City star shared the experience in a video posted on his YouTube channel on Saturday, describing it as one of the toughest moments of his career.
Doku said the problem started after Belgium’s match against Tunisia when he developed a persistent cough despite recovering from an earlier illness.
“I started coughing every second. I couldn’t say a word without coughing,” he said.
His condition got worse after attending church with the team.
“Suddenly, here in my chest, I felt a pain that I’ve never felt before. I couldn’t move, I couldn’t breathe in.”
Despite receiving medication and travelling with the squad to the United States, Doku said he could not train properly.
“I couldn’t train properly that week. I was quickly tired and my coughing was still not gone. I even started coughing blood at one point,” he revealed.
Another episode sent him to the emergency room, where doctors found fluid in his lungs.
“I went to the emergency. We did all the tests and we saw there was liquid in my lungs or something. I asked, ‘How did that happen?’ The doctor said it was uncommon.”
He later told the coach, “Impossible. I cannot even run without feeling a heavy pain.”
Soon after, Doku learned his wife had gone into labour weeks early. He returned to London, saying, “Guys, I’m not able to play either way, so I’m going to go back to see my son.”
The Belgian later welcomed his son, Praise, calling the timing “divine,” and said meeting him for the first time was deeply emotional.
