Jérémy Doku revealed what he really went through at the World Cup: "Pain I have never felt in my entire life"

Jérémy Doku will never forget the 2026 World Cup. The Manchester City winger arrived at the tournament with high ambitions to lead the Belgium national team, but did not expect such a chaotic month. It all began with a respiratory infection that prevented him from participating in the second match of the group stage against Iran, which ended in a 0:0 draw. What no one knew was that the infection was much more severe than it initially appeared.

"I have never felt such pain in my entire life," Doku said in a clip posted on social media, from a documentary that will be broadcast on Sunday on his YouTube channel. "I couldn't move and I felt like I was about to cry. It was 1 a.m. and I had to go to the emergency room."

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28 NKJV

This World Cup will also be remembered by Doku for the birth of his first son, Fraise. The Belgium national team player took a quick trip to London to be by his wife Shirin's side, and along the way unintentionally sparked a storm regarding the father's place during the birth. "I woke up in a panic," he said. "Someone told me: 'Your wife's water broke.' I thought to myself: 'I have to see my son.' It happened, and I managed to hold Fraise in my arms. Now I am trying to be the best father I can be."

Doku, who did not arrive at the tournament in optimal shape, failed to record a goal or an assist and admitted that he would have liked to have more impact. Belgium was eliminated in the quarterfinals after a 2:1 loss to Spain, which eventually won the World Cup.