Jeremy Doku Returns to Belgium Squad After Birth Trip During World Cup

Belgian forward Jeremy Doku left the World Cup training camp in the United States to travel to London for the birth of his first child. Accompanied by the team doctor and wearing a mask, he covered roughly 18,000 kilometres in two days, spent about a day and a half with his wife Shireen and newborn son Praise, and then flew back to re‑join the Belgian delegation in Seattle. The striker had missed Belgium’s match against Iran after a respiratory infection but had played in the opening draw with Egypt. He announced on social media, "Receiving my son is one of the greatest blessings … now it’s time to return to football and represent my country on the biggest stage," and is expected to be available for the decisive group game against New Zealand.