Jeremy Doku's World Cup baby dilemma: football vs family

Jeremy Doku is 24, plays for Manchester City, and is one of Belgium's most dangerous attackers at the 2026 World Cup. He has just welcomed a son. But before that, those two things were pulling him in opposite directions.

The Manchester City winger revealed to reporters that he plans to leave Belgium's World Cup camp in July to be present at the birth of his first child. Per the BBC, his wife, Shireen, was originally due in the second week of July. That window lined up almost perfectly with the quarterfinal stage of the tournament.

Doku did not hide behind vague language.

“It's my first child, so I would definitely want to be there,” he said.

“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 backlash

Not everyone took Doku's honesty well. On French television channel L'Equipe, presenter France Pierron said on air that it would be a “disgusting moment” and that a father is “completely useless” during the birth of a child. She argued that Doku should stay put because a World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime privilege.

The criticism backfired immediately. Pierron apologised the following day.

England striker Ollie Watkins, a father of two himself, came out strongly in Doku's corner.

“Someone labelled it 'disgusting'. For a start, that's not a way to label a birth,” Watkins said.

“I have two kids. I've seen what my wife had to go through. We're very privileged men at the end of the day, and I'm sure he will have a lot of support to get there as quickly as possible and then fly back out. I don't think it's anyone else's business. If he goes back and does that, I think that's fair enough. I would want to do it.”

Watkins is not alone in that view. Fabian Delph left England's camp at the 2018 World Cup for the birth of his child and returned in time for the quarterfinal against Sweden. Phil Foden stepped away from England's Euro 2024 squad for the birth of his third child. These things happen, and football has made room for them before.

Thanks to early birth, but what is at stake is the fact thay Belgium are not cruising through this tournament. They drew 1-1 with Egypt in their Group G opener in Seattle, a result that raised serious questions about their attack. Egypt scored first through Emam Ashour, and Belgium only levelled through an own goal from Mohamed Hany. Doku played 86 minutes in that match and created chances but did not score.

Then there was the Iran game. Doku missed it, after being ruled out by a respiratory infection that Belgium's medical staff said had been building for at least two weeks.

The Red Devils drew 0-0. Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand made seven saves, and Belgium registered a modest 1.79 xG across 23 attempts. Their most productive players were Kevin De Bruyne, Leandro Trossard and left-back Maxim De Cuyper.

Belgium have not technically scored a goal of their own yet at this World Cup.

They still have New Zealand to face on June 27 in Vancouver. They need a result there to advance comfortably. After that, if they make the round of 16, the bracket could pit them against hosts United States on July 6 if both teams win their groups. A potential quarterfinal sits right around when Shireen was originally due.

A player with big expectations

Doku scored five goals and contributed seven goal involvements in qualifying, creating 24 chances from open play. He stood out among European players, creating more in the qualifying campaign. After Eden Hazard's international retirement, Doku took on a bigger role in the Belgium setup, and he embraced it publicly.

“This will be my second World Cup, but my first with a different role, a more important role,” Doku told reporters.

“People will look towards me more to make a difference with the experience I have now. It's my turn to take more responsibility, especially in the bad moments.”

That responsibility is why this situation is in such an awkward place. Belgium need Doku performing and available. He needs to be there for his family. Neither side of that equation is unreasonable.

But should football ever come before the birth of your first child? Most people who have been in that delivery room, or stood outside one, know the answer. Belgium's federation has said they support their players in situations like this. Rudi Garcia, Belgium's coach, has not made it a controversy within the camp.