Jeremy Doku Opens Up About His Dramatic World Cup Hospitalization and Coughing Up Blood

Jeremy Doku received cortisone pills from a Seattle hospital during the World Cup after suffering a severe illness, a move approved by FIFA. The Belgian winger was admitted to the hospital during the tournament after experiencing symptoms that included coughing up blood and an inability to move, according to reporting from Nieuwsblad, GVA, and Sporza.

FIFA Approval for Cortisone Treatment in Seattle

FIFA granted permission for a hospital in Seattle to administer cortisone to Doku while he was under medical care. Because cortisone is classified as a doping product, the administration of the medication required official authorization from the tournament’s governing body to ensure the player remained compliant with anti-doping regulations, Nieuwsblad reports.

The medical intervention followed a rapid decline in Doku’s health during the competition. The player described the urgency of the situation, noting that he had to be rushed to the hospital, according to NU.

Details of Doku’s Medical Emergency

Doku provided details regarding the severity of his condition in recent interviews with Sporza and GVA. He stated that he reached a point where he could not move and began coughing up blood.

“I couldn’t move and even started coughing up blood,”

Jeremy Doku via GVA

The player characterized the emergency admission as a perfect scenario in a sarcastic or ironic sense, reflecting on the dramatic nature of his experience during the tournament, according to Sporza.

Tournament Turmoil and Personal Milestones

Beyond the medical crisis, Doku’s time at the World Cup was marked by other stressors. He recounted a conflict with a French journalist during the event, as detailed by GVA. These professional challenges coincided with a significant personal event, the birth of his son, Praise, which he discussed alongside his reflections on the tournament in HLN.

The intersection of a critical health scare, a doping-related medical exemption, and high-pressure media interactions defined Doku’s experience in Seattle and the broader tournament environment.