Journalistic reports revealed today, Sunday, the reason behind the decline in the performance of Belgian national team player Jeremy Doku in the 2026 World Cup tournament.
The Belgian national team bid farewell to the 2026 World Cup tournament from the quarter-final round after the defeat to Spain.
Doku did not appear at his usual level with Manchester City during the World Cup tournament currently being held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Foot Mercato reported that Doku suffered major issues from the start of the World Cup after sustaining an injury before Belgium's first match in the tournament against Egypt, then contracting a respiratory infection, which significantly weakened the player's physical condition, and the left winger also experienced difficulty breathing at times.
The report clarified that this situation also caused internal tensions, as the Belgian medical staff wanted to administer stronger cortisone treatment, an option Doku rejected in favor of a more gradual approach.
Between his absence from training, lack of physical fitness, and personal circumstances such as the birth of his first child, the player did not regain full fitness before the semi-final round. Despite his improved performance against Spain, where he finally showed greater vitality, his participation in the tournament remains fraught with frustration, and now Doku will have to quickly regain his expected leadership role with the Red Devils after this elimination.
Doku participated in Belgium's match against Egypt in the first round, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
