Belgium and Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku has ignited a debate during the FIFA World Cup 2026 after stating he is willing to leave the tournament early to be present for the birth of his first child. Doku made his stance clear ahead of Belgium's crucial Group-stage clash against Iran, with his child expected to be born in the second week of July. If Belgium progress deep into the knockout rounds, Doku could miss matches.
Doku Prioritizes Fatherhood Over Football
“It's my first child, so I would definitely want to be there,” Doku said. “If you ask me what I want, my answer is that nobody wants to miss the birth of their first child.” His comments drew mixed reactions, with some supporting his decision and others questioning his priorities.
Among the critics was L'Equipe presenter France Pierron, who posted on the Facebook page of French sports publication L'Equipe: “The World Cup is an incredible joy. There are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your shoes. It might never happen again in your life. You're living out a childhood dream, yet you're going to walk away from it all to attend the birth of your child – a disgusting moment, if you'll pardon the expression, where the dad is completely useless.” Pierron later apologized after her comments sparked widespread criticism.
Illness Rules Doku Out of Iran Clash
While the debate continued off the field, Belgium were dealt a blow as Doku was ruled out of Sunday's match against Iran because of illness. The winger had played until the 86th minute in Belgium's 1-1 draw against Egypt despite reportedly struggling with breathing issues earlier in the week.
Belgium, ranked 10th in the world, need a strong performance against Iran after dropping points in their opener. The Red Devils will conclude their group campaign against New Zealand on Friday as they look to secure top spot and advance to the knockout stage.
