UMVA has learned that Jérémy Doku, one of Belgium's star players at the 2026 World Cup, is facing a tough decision: attending the birth of his first child or staying with his team for a crucial match.
The 24-year-old told reporters that he would "definitely want to be there" for the birth of his child, but acknowledged that football involves many other considerations. He expressed hope that the federation would support him and understand his situation.
This dilemma is not new for football players. Phil Foden, for example, briefly left the England camp during Euro 2024 to attend the birth of his child. However, Doku's comments have sparked controversy, with some critics arguing that he should prioritize the World Cup over the birth of his child.
France Pierron, a presenter and journalist, was particularly outspoken in her criticism, saying that Doku's decision to attend the birth of his child would be a selfish one. She argued that appearing at a World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and that Doku should not walk away from it to attend the birth of his child.
Pierron's comments sparked a fierce backlash on social media, with many defending Doku's right to be with his partner during this significant moment. Pierron later issued a statement clarifying that her comments were a personal opinion and did not reflect a collective position.
Doku is not the only player facing this challenge. His Belgium teammate Brandon Mechele is also expecting his wife to give birth soon. Belgium's World Cup campaign has gotten off to a rocky start, with the team drawing 1-1 with Egypt and Doku missing their next match due to illness.
