Jeremy Doku became a father on Monday, the Belgian football federation confirmed, hours after his team laboured to a 0–0 draw against Iran in Los Angeles without him. The 24-year-old Manchester City winger had flown from the World Cup camp to London, accompanied by a team doctor, after learning the birth was imminent. His wife Shireen gave birth to a boy named Praise; mother, father and baby were reported to be doing well. Doku is expected to rejoin the squad in Seattle on Tuesday evening, ahead of Belgium’s final Group G fixture against New Zealand.

On the pitch, Belgium’s campaign has stalled. Two draws — first 1–1 against Egypt, then the stalemate with Iran — leave Rudi Garcia’s side needing a victory over New Zealand on Friday to be certain of reaching the last 32. Doku had already been ruled out of the Iran match with a respiratory infection, but his absence was felt: the Belgian attack, despite the presence of Kevin De Bruyne and Leandro Trossard, lacked the direct dribbling threat the winger provides. The result drew sharp criticism from Belgian media, who described the performance as lacklustre.

The decision to leave a World Cup for a birth triggered fierce reactions, particularly in France. L’Équipe TV presenter France Pierron called childbirth “a disgusting moment” where the father is “useless” and argued that hundreds of footballers would “kill” to be in Doku’s place. The remarks provoked an online storm, forcing the channel to issue a formal apology and suspend Pierron from her show. Viewed from London, the response was markedly different: England striker Ollie Watkins, speaking at a press conference, defended Doku, calling the arrival of a first child “a blessing” that “happens only once”. The Professional Footballers’ Association echoed that players must be treated as humans, not just athletes. In Belgium, the federation backed Doku’s choice, while some former players and youth coaches voiced reservations, reviving a debate that, as commentators in Germany noted, reveals how football sometimes takes itself too seriously.

The episode also exposes a regulatory gap. FIFA mandates a minimum 14 weeks of maternity leave for female players, but no specific paternity leave exists for men. Doku’s case, like Fabian Delph’s departure from England’s 2018 World Cup camp for a birth, required ad hoc negotiation with the national federation. With Doku set to return, Belgium’s immediate task is clear: beat New Zealand in Vancouver or risk an early exit from a tournament they entered as a team in transition after the golden generation’s decline.