Key Points
- Belgium's Jeremy Doku plans to leave the World Cup for his first child's birth.
- His partner is due in mid-July, around the quarterfinal window.
- An L'Équipe pundit called the decision "disgusting," sparking backlash.
- Doku: "Nobody wants to miss the birth of their first child."
A father-to-be became a talking point at the World Cup. Belgium and Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku plans to leave the national team's camp in July to attend the birth of his first child, with his partner due in the second week of the month — right around the tournament's quarterfinal window.
Doku framed it plainly: "Nobody wants to miss the birth of their first child," adding that the Belgian federation supports players through these moments. The pushback came from L'Équipe journalist France Pierro, who questioned the choice, called childbirth "a disgusting moment," and argued a father is only "an extra" in the room. The take did not land well.
The internet sided with Doku
The criticism drew hundreds of replies, the overwhelming majority backing Doku — former boxer Brahim Asloum among them: "A baby is your entire life. A World Cup is over when it is over." It's the rare World Cup storyline that has nothing to do with the scoreline and everything to do with how players weigh career against life. Belgium has signaled it will accommodate him.
Sources: Field Level Media, TribalFootball
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