Jérémy Doku leaves Belgian World Cup squad to attend birth of his son

Jérémy Doku, the 24‑year‑old forward for Belgium, left the team's World Cup training camp during the group stage to travel to London after learning his wife was about to give birth. The Belgian Football Federation announced he returned to London on 22 June, where his son Praise was born, and he missed Belgium’s 0‑0 draw with Iran.

The federation said Doku will rejoin the squad in Seattle ahead of the next match. His decision sparked a public debate about fathers’ presence at birth, with some commentators praising the choice and others criticizing it. Doku said, “Ninguém quer perder o nascimento do seu primeiro filho” (“No one wants to miss the birth of their first child”).