Doku reveals health scare and banned medication during 2026 World Cup
Manchester City's Jeremy Doku says he was hospitalized with a respiratory illness during the 2026 World Cup and took a banned drug with FIFA's approval.
Key Takeaways
AIBelgian footballer Jeremy Doku, who plays for Manchester City, has revealed details of his struggle with a severe respiratory infection during the 2026 World Cup, which required hospitalization and special treatment approved by FIFA.
Doku explained on his YouTube channel that he experienced extreme difficulty breathing after Belgium’s opening match against Egypt, even coughing up blood, which led to his admission to a hospital in Seattle, USA.
According to Radio Monte Carlo, Doku said: “At the hospital, they found fluid in my lungs. The doctor told me this doesn’t happen often. They prescribed me medication, and I did my best.”
The newspaper La Dernière Heure reported that doctors prescribed Doku a medication containing cortisone, which is on the list of substances banned in sports. However, due to his medical emergency, he received an official therapeutic exemption and FIFA’s approval to take the drug orally.
Temporary departure and return to national team camp
Doku’s participation in the tournament was also disrupted when he temporarily left Belgium’s training camp to return to England for the birth of his child, before rejoining the squad in the United States to continue competing in the World Cup.