Belgium’s Jeremy Doku, a Manchester City winger, announced that he will temporarily step away from the World Cup to be present for the birth of his first child, a decision that has ignited a lively debate among fans, commentators and fellow players.
A Paternity Pause at the World Cup
Doku explained that his wife, Shireen, is expected to give birth in the second week of July, which coincides with the tournament’s quarter‑final stage, and that missing the group match against Iran is a sacrifice he is willing to make for family.
The reaction has been mixed. Presenter France Pierron sparked controversy by calling the situation a ‘disgusting moment’ and suggesting that fathers are ‘useless’ during childbirth, a remark she later retracted and apologized for. In contrast, former boxer Brahim Asloum defended Doku, emphasizing that a newborn outweighs any sporting ambition.
The episode is not isolated. Kingsley Coman has previously left the French camp to attend the births of his third and fourth children, while England’s Phil Foden made a similar move at Euro 2024 for his third child. Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch also missed a club fixture after becoming a father, and Shohei Ohtani recently took paternity leave from the Los Angeles Dodgers to welcome his second child.
Belgium’s coaching staff confirmed that Doku will miss the Iran game due to illness, though the team remains focused on its upcoming fixtures against New Zealand and the already‑played match against Egypt, which ended in a 1‑1 draw. The broader conversation highlights how modern athletes increasingly balance global competition with personal milestones, a trend that may reshape how clubs and federations approach player welfare.