Doku becomes father after leaving Belgium camp during World Cup
Belgium’s federation said Jeremy Doku flew to London for the birth of his son after being ruled out of the Iran match because of illness.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
2 min read
Belgium winger Jeremy Doku has welcomed a son after temporarily leaving the national team’s World Cup camp, the Belgian Football Association said Monday. The trip drew attention because Doku had said before Belgium’s opening match that he wanted to attend the birth of his first child.
The federation said Doku travelled to London to be with his wife after consulting Belgium’s medical staff. The couple’s baby boy is named Praise, according to the association.
Belgium team doctor Brahim Hacene said Doku learned before Sunday’s match against Iran that the birth was close. Doku had already been ruled out of that game because of illness, Hacene said.
“As he had already been receiving the appropriate medical treatment for several days, he was able to fly without any medical risk to be with his family during this very special moment,” Hacene said, according to AFP. He added that Doku, his wife and the baby were doing well.
Doku is expected to rejoin Belgium’s squad in Seattle on Tuesday, the federation said. Belgium have drawn both of their World Cup matches so far and face New Zealand on Friday in their final group game.
TV remarks draw backlash
Doku’s wish to be present for the birth had become a public issue in the days before his departure. AFP reported that a presenter on L’Equipe TV, the channel linked to the French sports newspaper, questioned the choice and said fathers were “useless” during childbirth while many players would have given anything to appear at a World Cup.
The remarks prompted criticism online, according to AFP. L’Equipe apologised, distanced itself from the comments and removed the presenter from her programme.
On the field, Doku started Belgium’s first group match against Egypt but was substituted after struggling to influence the game, AFP reported. He then missed the scoreless draw with Iran in Los Angeles because of illness.
Belgian media criticised the team’s performance after the Iran match, according to AFP. Belgium entered the tournament in transition after the country’s older core exited the 2022 World Cup in the group stage.
A win over New Zealand would secure Belgium’s place in the round of 32, AFP reported. Doku, 24, is viewed as one of the leading younger players in the Belgian squad as the team tries to move beyond that previous generation.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.