Jeremy Doku Slams Belgium Performance After Kazakhstan Draw as World Cup Qualification Pressure Increases

Belgium winger Jeremy Doku did not hide his disappointment after the Red Devils missed a golden chance to secure early qualification for the 2026 World Cup, following a frustrating 1-1 draw away to Kazakhstan on Saturday.

Belgium entered the match knowing a win would seal their place at next summer’s tournament, but instead, they left with regret, pressure, and more questions than answers. The result now means that Belgium must avoid defeat against Liechtenstein on Tuesday to guarantee qualification — a scenario few expected against a side already out of the race.

A Poor Start and Missed Opportunity

The match could not have started worse for Belgium. Kazakhstan capitalised on a defensive error, with Dastan Satpaev reacting quickest to a loose ball to fire the hosts ahead. The shock goal raised tension among the Belgian players, who were already without three of their most influential stars: Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Thibaut Courtois — all unavailable.

Hans Vanaken equalised later in the match, offering a temporary sense of calm, but Belgium failed to take advantage after Kazakhstan were reduced to ten men. Despite dominating long spells of possession, the visitors lacked sharpness in the final third and struggled to control momentum.

Doku Speaks Out: “Everyone Needs To Do Better”

Speaking after the match, Manchester City star Jeremy Doku gave a brutally honest reflection, insisting that the team had not lived up to expectations.

He said they have already dropped points in matches they were expected to win and stressed that every player — including himself — needed to improve.

Doku said: “We’ve already dropped too many points because we weren’t good enough. Our campaign hasn’t gone well. Everyone needs to do better — the coach, me, everyone.”

He also stressed that Belgium must not rely on injured key players to save them, saying if they cannot beat teams like Kazakhstan without De Bruyne, Lukaku, and Courtois, they have serious work to do before competing at the World Cup.

A Tactical Surprise and Lack of Preparation?

One of the biggest surprises came from Kazakhstan’s tactical approach. Belgium expected long-ball football but were stunned when their opponents instead played short passes and tried to build from the back.

Doku admitted: “Maybe we didn’t analyse our opponent enough.”

A statement like this raises concerns for Belgium — not just about performance, but game preparation at the highest level.

Defensive Debate Sparks Frustration

Belgian defender Arthur Theate also showed his frustration when asked about defensive lapses. While acknowledging the opening goal should have been prevented, he highlighted that the team has not conceded many goals overall during the qualifying campaign.

He argued that responsibility must be shared: “If you concede, it’s the defence’s fault. If you don’t score, it’s the attack’s fault. We haven’t been in serious danger in most matches.”

What It Means for the Group

Despite the setback, Belgium still sit top of Group J with a two-point advantage over North Macedonia and Wales. One point against Liechtenstein should be enough to confirm their place at the tournament.

Meanwhile, North Macedonia and Wales face a decisive match for the play-off spot — a fixture that could set up a dramatic ending to the group campaign.

Belgium’s golden era stars have been ageing or unavailable, and the new generation — including Doku and his talented teammates — are now being asked to lead.

Their performance and mentality against Liechtenstein will show whether this young new-look Belgium side can deliver when it truly matters.

Failure is not an option — and they know it.