Belgium football star sparks debate over plan to leave World Cup for baby’s birth

Monday, 22 June 2026

Belgium winger Jeremy Doku has sparked a heated debate after saying he would like to leave his country’s World Cup camp to attend the birth of his first child.

The 24-year-old Manchester City star’s wife, Shireen, is due to give birth during the tournament’s knockout stages and Doku told Reuters he could not imagine missing the birth.

“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.”

Doku acknowledged there were wider considerations involved, including Belgium’s commitments at the World Cup, where they are in the same group as New Zealand.

He said discussions would continue with the country’s football officials.

The comments prompted criticism from French television presenter France Pierron, who questioned whether leaving the tournament would be the right decision.

Pierron argued that playing at a World Cup was a rare opportunity and described fathers as being “completely useless” during childbirth, comments that quickly generated a backlash online.

“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.

“There are guys who took out loans just to see the match, and you’re not going – all just to cut an umbilical cord.”

Among those defending Doku was England striker Ollie Watkins.

'I think for a start (disgusting) is not a way to label a birth,' Aston Villa’s Watkins, a father-of-two, said during a press conference in which he addressed Pierron's characterisation.

'It only happens once, your first child. Welcoming them into the world is a blessing, and you don't get that opportunity (again).

“There's a lot of times where you're away from family and friends during the season, and it's very difficult periods. So, to miss that would be tough,” he added.

“I see where (Doku) is coming from. I think he has all the right to go back and be there. I'm sure he will have a lot of support to be able to get there as quickly as possible, make sure he's there to support her (wife Shireen), and then fly back out.”

Former French Olympic boxing champion Brahim Asloum also leapt to Doku’s defence.

“A baby is your entire life. A World Cup is over when it is over,” Asloum wrote on social media.

As criticism mounted, Pierron later issued a public apology.

She said her comments reflected a personal opinion expressed during a heated discussion and acknowledged they may have upset people.

“I understand that they may have shocked, hurt, or wounded some of you, and I am sorry for that,” she said.

Pierron added that she had not intended to diminish the importance of fathers in supporting their partners and children.

The debate comes as Belgium continues its World Cup campaign in the United States.

Belgium confirmed on Saturday that Doku would miss the team’s second group stage match against Iran because of illness.

Belgium opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Egypt, before a goalless draw with Iran on Monday (NZT). They face the All Whites in their final group match.

Doku’s stance has fuelled wider discussion about balancing professional sport and family responsibilities, particularly during major international tournaments.