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Doku’s birth plan
Belgium winger Jeremy Doku, a Manchester City forward, told reporters he plans to leave the World Cup next month to be with his wife for the birth of their first child, with the due date expected in the second week of July.
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Doku said, “It depends on when it happens, but it's my first child, so I would definitely want to be there,” and added, “If you ask me what I want, my answer is that nobody wants to miss the birth of their first child.”
The plan drew attention after Doku missed Belgium’s match against Iran on Sunday due to a chest infection, and Belgian media reported that plans were being put in place so he could travel home via private jet.
The Washington Times also reported that Doku started Belgium’s World Cup opener, a 1-1 draw against Egypt, on Monday, and that Belgium announced he would not play in Sunday’s match against Iran due to an illness.
Backlash and apologies
France Pierron, a Channel L'Equipe presenter, criticized Doku’s decision and posted that the father was “completely useless” during their child’s birth, saying, “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.”
Pierron later apologized for her comments, writing, “I was expressing a personal opinion, within the framework of a debate,” and she said she understood the remarks “may have shocked, hurt, or wounded some of you.”
The New York Times described how the backlash escalated after Doku’s comments were discussed on Belgian television, including former Belgium international Gert Verheyen jokingly suggesting Doku would be a spare wheel at his child’s birth.
The New York Times also quoted Peter Janssens telling Belgian website VRT, “When you go to the World Cup, it’s a choice,” and said De Morgen ran the front-page headline “Generations clash over Doku’s dilemma.”
What’s at stake
Doku’s plan is framed as a personal decision tied to timing, with the due date expected in the second week of July and potentially overlapping with the quarter-finals if Belgium continues in the tournament.
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The Independent reported that Doku said he would leave the World Cup and return home even if Belgium are still in the tournament, while The Washington Times said he told Reuters that the federation supports its players and understands their situations.
The New York Times described the wider debate around whether sporting commitments should outweigh family moments, noting that Doku’s remarks “sparked a backlash” after they were discussed over the days that followed.
In the same coverage, The New York Times pointed to the idea that the World Cup demands a choice, quoting Peter Janssens: “The baby will still be there afterwards,” as the argument over Doku’s dilemma continued.
