As Belgium continues its campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, one of the team’s biggest talking points has shifted away from football and toward family. Belgian winger Jérémy Doku has come under public scrutiny after revealing that he would leave the national team’s World Cup camp if necessary to be present for the birth of his first child.
The 24-year-old Manchester City star confirmed that his partner is expected to give birth during the latter stages of the tournament. If Belgium advances deep into the competition, the expected delivery date could coincide with the quarterfinals or beyond. Despite the importance of the World Cup, Doku made it clear that witnessing the birth of his child is a priority he is not willing to sacrifice.
His comments immediately sparked debate across Europe. While many supporters praised the winger for placing family above football, others questioned whether a player should leave his national team during the world’s biggest sporting event.
Television Comments Spark Wider Controversy
The discussion intensified after French television presenter France Pierron criticized Doku’s stance during a sports program. She argued that leaving a World Cup for childbirth would be difficult to justify and suggested that fathers play only a limited role during delivery.
Her remarks quickly attracted widespread criticism on social media, with many fans, journalists, and former players defending Doku’s decision. Supporters argued that modern fatherhood extends well beyond the delivery room and that being present at such a life-changing moment is an important responsibility.
Facing the backlash, Pierron later apologized publicly, acknowledging that her comments had offended many people. She clarified that she was expressing a personal opinion rather than questioning Doku’s commitment to Belgium.
Belgium’s Campaign Continues
The discussion comes at a crucial stage of Belgium’s World Cup journey. The Red Devils opened their Group G campaign with a 1-1 draw against Egypt, leaving qualification for the knockout rounds finely balanced. Doku was unavailable for Belgium’s following match against Iran after suffering from a respiratory infection, although the coaching staff remains hopeful he will return once fully recovered.
If Belgium reaches the latter rounds of the tournament, the timing of his child’s birth could force Doku into a difficult personal decision. The Belgian Football Federation has indicated that it understands the importance of family commitments and is expected to support the player if the situation arises.
Football and Family: A Modern Balancing Act
Professional footballers often face enormous expectations to prioritize club and country above everything else. Doku’s situation has once again highlighted the challenge elite athletes face when major career moments overlap with equally significant milestones in their personal lives.
While opinions remain divided, the debate has shifted beyond football, raising broader questions about work-life balance, fatherhood, and the importance of family in modern professional sport. Whether or not Doku ultimately leaves Belgium’s squad will depend on both his team’s progress in the tournament and the timing of his child’s arrival.
Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Team: Belgium
Group: Group G
Opening Match: Belgium 1-1 Egypt
Next Challenge: Iran (Doku unavailable due to illness)
Current Situation: Fighting for qualification to the knockout stage.
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