Manchester City and Belgium winger Jérémy Doku has triggered a fierce global debate after declaring his intention to walk away from his country’s World Cup campaign in the United States to attend the birth of his first child. The 24-year-old forward revealed that his wife, Shireen, is due to give birth during the second week of July, perfectly coinciding with the tournament's quarter-final stages. His stance has divided opinion across European media, drawing sharp condemnation from traditionalists alongside a significant modern backlash defending the player.
What We Know So Far
The controversy ignited during a routine media conference ahead of Belgium’s opening Group G fixture against Egypt, which ended in a 1-1 draw. When asked about his personal life, Doku casually mentioned that his first child was due before the conclusion of the tournament. The winger made his position entirely clear, stating that no father would willingly choose to miss such a monumental moment, whilst acknowledging that elite professional football carries unique responsibilities.
However, what initially seemed like an uncontentious personal choice rapidly snowballed into an international talking point. The fiercest criticism came from France Pierron, a presenter on the French television channel L’Équipe, who openly questioned Doku’s professional commitment on air. Pierron caused outrage by describing childbirth as a moment where the father acts merely as an extra and is completely useless, arguing that hundreds of footballers would kill to be in Doku’s position at a World Cup.
The debate has highlighted a stark generational divide within the game. Former youth coach Peter Janssens echoed the critical sentiment on the Belgian website VRT, asserting that attending a World Cup is an explicit choice and that the baby would still be there after the tournament concludes. Conversely, the French newspaper Libération vehemently defended the Manchester City star, branding the critical television remarks as the reaction of another age.
Meanwhile, the logistical reality of Doku’s plan means he would face a exhausting 10-hour flight from the United States back to Europe. Adding to his immediate complications, Belgium coach Rudi Garcia confirmed that Doku will completely miss Sunday’s crucial group match against Iran after contracting a severe respiratory infection, meaning the player is facing setbacks both on and off the pitch.
The Response
The rhetoric surrounding Doku's decision prompted heated on-screen arguments, notably with former world champion boxer Brahim Asloum, who clutched back against Pierron’s live broadcast comments to defend the importance of family life.
A baby is your entire life. A World Cup is over when it is over.
Following a tremendous wave of criticism across social media platforms, Pierron later released an official statement on her personal accounts attempting to defuse the situation, clarifying that her remarks were solely her own opinion and were never intended to diminish the vital role of fathers during childbirth.
From the player's perspective, Doku remains confident that he has the backing of his national association, though a formal travel plan has yet to be finalised with the squad management.
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.
What It Means for You
For football fans in GB, particularly Manchester City supporters, Doku's dilemma highlights the increasing human pressures placed upon modern elite athletes who navigate relentless year-round schedules. While international governing bodies have historically demanded absolute priority, a growing societal shift supports players prioritizing essential family milestones.
Doku is far from the first high-profile athlete to face this exact issue. His international teammate Brandon Mechele is facing a similar July due date, whilst England’s Phil Foden briefly departed the Euro 2024 camp for the birth of his third child. French forward Kingsley Coman similarly left his national squad during consecutive European Championships for family reasons, proving that modern clubs and international setups are becoming far more accommodating to paternity demands.
Contrastingly, Norway’s Leo Østigård provided a starkly different alternative this week. The defender chose to remain with his squad in America, supporting his partner Aurora Eidmann over a FaceTime video link as she gave birth to their son on Friday, demonstrating that individual players are handling these intensely personal scenarios in wildly different ways.
Coming Up
Belgium must navigate their immediate World Cup fixtures before any potential knockout stage travel becomes an issue. Following their clash with Iran, Rudi Garcia’s side will wrap up their Group G matches against New Zealand on Friday, 26 June. Doku’s availability for that final group fixture remains uncertain as the medical team evaluates his recovery from illness, while his all-time top-scoring teammate Romelu Lukaku is expected to take on an expanded role to fill the attacking void.
At a Glance
- Manchester City forward Jérémy Doku plans to fly home from the World Cup in July for the birth of his first child.
- The potential departure coincides directly with the tournament's quarter-final stages in the United States.
- French TV presenter France Pierron faced heavy social media backlash after labeling the player's choice disgusting.
- Doku will miss Belgium’s immediate group stage match against Iran due to a respiratory infection.
- Other players, including Phil Foden and Kingsley Coman, have previously left major tournament camps for paternity reasons.
People Also Ask
Why is Jérémy Doku not playing against Iran?
Jérémy Doku has been ruled out of Belgium's second World Cup group stage match against Iran due to a respiratory illness. Head coach Rudi Garcia confirmed the medical staff decided to give the winger time to fully recover.
Who is Jérémy Doku’s wife?
Jérémy Doku is married to his wife, Shireen. The couple are currently expecting their very first child together, with the official due date falling during the second week of July 2026.
Which football tournament is currently taking place?
The teams are currently competing in the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is being hosted across North America during the summer months of June and July.
Has any other player left a tournament for a baby's birth?
Yes, several high-profile players have left international duty. Phil Foden temporarily departed the England camp during Euro 2024, and France’s Kingsley Coman left his squad during both Euro 2021 and Euro 2024 to attend births.