Belgium’s hopes of securing a vital victory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been dealt a significant blow following confirmation that star winger Jérémy Doku will miss the country’s decisive Group G encounter against Iran due to illness.
The Manchester City forward, widely regarded as one of Belgium’s most dangerous attacking players, has been ruled out after suffering a recurring respiratory infection that prevented him from participating fully in training ahead of the match. The news comes at a critical stage of the tournament, with Belgium under pressure to claim all three points after opening their campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Egypt.
For Belgian supporters, Doku’s absence represents more than just the loss of another player. It removes one of the team’s most explosive attacking weapons and a footballer capable of changing the course of a match with a single moment of brilliance.
The fixture against Iran has effectively become a must-win contest for the Red Devils. With Group G still finely balanced and qualification for the knockout rounds far from guaranteed, Belgium will now have to navigate one of their biggest tests of the tournament without one of their most influential stars.
A Difficult Moment for Belgium
Belgium entered the 2026 World Cup determined to prove they remain among football’s elite nations. Despite possessing a squad filled with experienced internationals and world-class talent, the team failed to make the desired impact in their opening match against Egypt.
The 1-1 draw left coach Rudi Garcia frustrated and highlighted areas that required improvement, particularly in attack where Belgium struggled to create consistent chances despite enjoying large spells of possession.
Doku was expected to play a central role in addressing those issues against Iran.
His pace, direct running, and ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations have become vital elements of Belgium’s attacking strategy. The winger’s knack for stretching defensive lines creates opportunities not only for himself but also for teammates such as Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne.
Without him, Belgium may need to rethink their tactical approach.
Garcia acknowledged that Doku’s absence is disappointing but expressed confidence that the rest of the squad possesses enough quality and experience to deliver a positive result.
The Journey of a Rising Star
Jérémy Doku’s story is one of talent, determination, and multicultural heritage.
Born on May 27, 2002, in Antwerp, Belgium, Doku comes from a family with roots in Ghana. His parents migrated from West Africa to Belgium, where they worked hard to create opportunities for their children.
Growing up in Antwerp, Doku quickly developed a passion for football. His extraordinary speed and natural ability with the ball became evident at an early age. While many children dream of becoming professional footballers, Doku possessed a rare level of talent that set him apart from his peers.
He began his football education in local youth systems before attracting attention from some of Belgium’s biggest clubs.
Eventually, he joined the famous youth academy of Anderlecht, one of the country’s most successful football institutions. It was there that he refined his technical skills and developed into one of the brightest young prospects in European football.
By the age of 16, Doku had already broken into Anderlecht’s first team, making headlines for his fearless style of play and remarkable acceleration.
His performances soon attracted interest from leading clubs across Europe.
Success in France and England
In 2020, Doku completed a move to French club Rennes, where he continued his development in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues.
The transfer proved to be a crucial step in his career.
At Rennes, Doku matured both physically and tactically while continuing to showcase the explosive dribbling skills that had made him famous in Belgium. His performances in Ligue 1 and European competitions further enhanced his reputation as one of football’s most exciting young wingers.
His breakthrough eventually earned him a move to English Premier League giants Manchester City.
Under the guidance of renowned manager Pep Guardiola, Doku elevated his game to another level. Competing alongside some of the world’s best footballers allowed him to improve his decision-making, movement, and finishing while maintaining the attacking flair that made him a fan favorite.
At Manchester City, he quickly became known for terrorizing defenders with his speed and creativity, earning praise from teammates, coaches, and football analysts around the world.
A Key Figure for Belgium
Doku made his senior debut for Belgium while still a teenager and quickly established himself as an important member of the national team.
His performances at UEFA European Championships, Nations League fixtures, and World Cup qualifiers demonstrated his ability to perform on the biggest stages.
Belgian fans view him as part of the country’s next generation of stars tasked with carrying the national team forward after the golden era led by players such as Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany, and Dries Mertens.
Many supporters even see similarities between Doku and Hazard due to their shared ability to dribble past defenders effortlessly and create opportunities from seemingly impossible situations.
At just 24 years old, Doku remains one of Belgium’s brightest hopes for future success.
Iran Opportunity as Belgium Adapt
Iran will undoubtedly see Doku’s absence as an opportunity.
The Asian powerhouse enters the match knowing that Belgium’s attack loses a significant amount of pace and unpredictability without the Manchester City winger.
However, Belgium still possess an impressive collection of talent.
Kevin De Bruyne remains the creative engine of the team, while Romelu Lukaku’s goal-scoring record continues to make him one of the most dangerous strikers in international football. Players such as Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans are also expected to play key roles.
As the World Cup group stage enters a decisive phase, all eyes will be on whether Belgium can overcome the absence of one of their most influential stars.
For Doku, the disappointment of missing such an important match will be immense. Yet if his career journey has demonstrated anything, it is resilience. Belgium will hope their dynamic winger recovers quickly and returns in time to play a major role in the latter stages of the tournament.
