Christian Eriksen collaspes during 2026 World Cup friendly

ODENSE, Denmark, June 7 – Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed during an international friendly against Ukraine on Sunday, five years after suffering a cardiac arrest during Euro 2020, prompting the match to be abandoned.

The 34-year-old appeared to clutch his chest before falling to the ground midway through the second half in Odense. Medical staff rushed onto the pitch as visibly distressed teammates formed a protective circle around him.

The Danish Football Federation later confirmed Eriksen was conscious and in stable condition at hospital.

“Christian Eriksen is conscious and undergoing further examinations,” the federation said in a statement.

Denmark team doctor Morten Boesen said Eriksen briefly lost consciousness but responded quickly after treatment on the field.

“The implanted defibrillator worked as intended,” Boesen told reporters, referring to the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) Eriksen received after his cardiac arrest during Denmark’s Euro 2020 match against Finland in Copenhagen in 2021.

Boesen added that Eriksen was able to walk to the ambulance before being transported to Odense University Hospital for further tests.

The match was halted immediately with Denmark leading 2-1 and was later officially abandoned. Players from both teams were seen consoling one another as supporters inside the stadium applauded Eriksen while he left the field.

The incident revived painful memories from Euro 2020, when Eriksen collapsed on the pitch and received life-saving CPR before being resuscitated. He later returned to professional football after recovering and resumed his career with English clubs Brentford and Manchester United before joining German side Wolfsburg.

Messages of support quickly poured in from across the football world, with clubs, players and fans expressing relief that Eriksen was conscious following the latest incident.

Ukraine’s football federation posted a message wishing Eriksen a full recovery, while Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg praised the rapid response of medical teams and players.

Eriksen has been one of Denmark’s most influential players over the past decade, earning nearly 150 international caps and becoming widely admired for his return to football after his 2021 cardiac arrest.

Further medical examinations are expected in the coming days to determine the cause of Sunday’s collapse.