In a significant blow to Belgian sports broadcasting, legendary analyst Philippe Albert will not travel to the United States for the 2026 World Cup. The former Belgian international and Newcastle star revealed that recent cardiac issues have forced him to cancel his trip to cover the tournament on the ground.
Albert shared updates on his health, explaining that he was hospitalized for ten days approximately three weeks ago. Following a series of medical evaluations, specialists strongly advised against the journey to North America. While the former defender has reassured fans by stating he is feeling much better, he admitted that his heart is currently weaker than it was previously.
To manage his recovery, Albert is now following a strict regimen that includes monitoring his heart rate, managing his weight, and avoiding intense physical exertion. He expressed gratitude toward the cardiological staff at the Clinique Saint-Luc in Bouge for their professional care during his initial treatment.
The road to recovery includes a scheduled operation at the end of April, which will be followed by a brief period of total rest. Albert expects to be fully capable of working from within Belgium both leading up to the surgery and again starting in mid-May.
Despite the travel restrictions, Albert remains committed to his role. He will be calling the upcoming Europa League clash between Braga and Betis Seville, commentating from a studio in Brussels alongside Benjamin Deceuninck. He noted that he intends to follow the World Cup with his usual passion, albeit from his home country.
His absence from the U.S. Trip leaves a void in the RTBF commentary team, sparking discussions regarding who will commentate the Belgian Red Devils’ matches on site. While Marc Wilmots has reportedly declined a role, other potential replacements have been mentioned, including Frédéric Waseige and Michel Preud’homme.
The RTBF has not yet confirmed if another consultant will be added to the traveling party to join Benjamin Deceuninck and Vincent Langendries in the United States.
