Manchester City and Belgium winger Jérémy Doku has sparked intense debate after revealing his intention to leave the 2026 World Cup camp to be present for the birth of his first child, even if Belgium are still competing in the tournament.
Doku’s wife, Shireen, is due to give birth in the second week of July, a period that could coincide with the quarter-final stage. The 24-year-old forward made his position clear during the ongoing tournament in the United States.
“It’s my first child, so I would definitely want to be there. If you ask me what I want, my answer is that nobody wants to miss the birth of their first child. But I also know that football involves many other considerations. I know the federation supports its players and understands their situations. We’ll see what we can do.”
The announcement triggered mixed reactions across the football world. While many praised Doku’s stance on family priorities, others criticised him for potentially abandoning his national team at a crucial stage.
A French television presenter, France Pierron, faced severe backlash after calling the birth “a disgusting moment” where the father is “completely useless” and has only a symbolic role. L’Equipe channel later apologised, stating her comments were far removed from their values, and the presenter also issued an apology.
Football fans reacted passionately online. Some supported Doku wholeheartedly. One fan wrote:
“Great decision. Family is bigger than football.”
Another added:
“The birth of your first child is bigger than the World Cup, period.”
Others were more critical, accusing him of selfishness. Comments included:
“Why did he go in the first place?… You denied someone else a chance to be at the WC and you’re jeopardizing your team’s chances for your selfish reasons?”
“Wrong move… He had better option but he chose to betray his country for his own self-interest.”
Several players and organisations backed Doku. England striker Ollie Watkins, a father of two, said:
“It only happens once – welcoming your first child to the world – and it is a blessing… to miss that would be tough and I see where he’s coming from.”
The Professional Footballers’ Association emphasised that players should be supported in balancing professional duties with important family moments.
Doku is not the first player to face this dilemma. In 2018, Fabian Delph left England’s World Cup squad to attend the birth of his daughter. Similar cases have occurred in other sports, with many athletes choosing family over competition.
As Belgium continues their campaign, Doku’s personal decision has reignited broader conversations about fatherhood, player welfare, and the intense demands of elite football during major tournaments.à