Jérémy Doku left the World Cup when his first child was born, and people had their opinions
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Congratulations, … argument.
Belgium midfielder Jérémy Doku is flying out of the World Cup to be with his wife when they give birth to their first child on Sunday, sparking a debate about professional athletes and fatherhood.
Some footballers and organizations have supported Doku, but the announcer is open French sports news leader L’Équipe criticized her choice, calling childbirth a “disgusting time” when “fathers are useless.”
“There are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your position,” announced France Pierron said in the program.
“You live the dream of friendship, but you will leave it all to attend the birth of your child,” he added, according to the Guardian.
L’Équipe dismissed those comments and apologized to Doku in a statement on Sunday evening, adding Pierron’s views did not represent its values. It is said that he was also suspended by the broadcaster of the World Cup.
But the uproar has shed light on what has become an ongoing problem in elite sports: What should come first, and is it anyone’s business what the athlete decides?
“It only happens once, your first child. Welcoming them into the world is a blessing,” In England striker Ollie Watkins, father of two, said about Doku at a press conference on Sunday.
“I think he has a right to go back and be there,” Watkins said. “I don’t think it’s anyone else’s business what he wakes up to after training.”
‘One of the greatest blessings’
Doku’s wife, Shireen, gave birth to a son named Praise on Monday, the Belgian football federation said in a statement.
He missed Belgium’s 0-0 draw with Iran on Sunday due to illness and was cleared to fly”to be with his family at this very important time,” said team doctor Brahim Hacene.
On Tuesday, Doku wrote on Instagram that his wife and son are “doing well.”
“Welcoming my son into the world is one of the greatest blessings God has ever given me,” he wrote. “Now it’s time to get back to football and represent my country at the biggest stage of all.”
Doku is preparing to fly back to his team, Reuters reported on Tuesday. BElgium, third in Group G, will play New Zealand in Vancouver in their final group game on Friday.
Messages of support for Doku have been pouring in, including from Belgium team captain Youri Tielemans.
“I think having a child is the most beautiful thing in the world,” Tielemans said, the Associated Press reported. “Memories you can’t get back.”
The Professional Footballers’ Association told BBC Sports that the demands placed on the players must not use up “important family times.” And the United Nations Population Fund posted on Instagram that “eA father should have the opportunity to be present at the most important moments, even if it means missing out #WorldCup2026.”
Different fathers, different sports
Doku is certainly not the first athlete to miss important games for his father’s business.
In 2018, Fabian Delph from England he flew home from the World Cup in Russia to be there for the birth of his third child, he missed the game before flying back to join his teammates.
In 2024, Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards left an NBA game at halftime to give birth to his child. His teammate, Rudy Gobert, missed the playoffs for the same reason and suffered a concussion criticism because.
“I love this game. I’ve dedicated my whole life to this game. But this is one more thing than that,” Gobert told Fox Sports.
Meanwhile, last Friday, a baseball star Shohei Ohtani he left the Dodgers’ roster when his second child was born.
But many other athletes have made different choices – even for the 2026 World Cup. As BBC he says, FIFA does not have specific rules for maternity leave.
Earlier in June, South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu missed the birth of his daughter during a training session at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan, near Guadalajara in Mexico. He told Reuters that he hopes to replace him with his performance on the field.
And on Friday, Norwegian defender Leo Ostigard watched the birth of his son via FaceTime.
“He did an amazing job,” Ostigard said Instagram video published by the Norwegian FA. “I’M so proud.”
Sitting atop Group B, Canada’s men’s World Cup team is on course to advance to the knockout round for the first time. CBC’s Joseph Otoo explains what Team Canada can expect in the upcoming games, and who they may face.
