Belgium's Jeremy Doku faces World Cup and birth dilemma
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 15, 2026, 12:37 PM
Last updated Jun 15, 2026
Belgium winger Jeremy Doku is expecting his first child in the second week of July, coinciding with the World Cup quarter-finals. Doku wants to be present for the birth, complicating his participation with the national team, which begins its World Cup journey against Egypt in Seattle on Monday. He indicated that plans would likely include arranging a private flight to England for the event if Belgium progresses in the tournament. Defender Brandon Mechele is facing a similar situation as his wife's due date is one week after Doku's.
- •Doku's wife is due in July, during the World Cup.
- •Belgium opens its World Cup campaign against Egypt on Monday.
- •Private transportation to England is expected to be arranged.
- •Defender Brandon Mechele also faces a similar parental dilemma.
- 6:07 PMYahoo Sports — Belgium winger Jérémy Doku could miss World Cup knockout matches as wife awaits birth of 1st child
- 2:26 PMYahoo Sports — Doku's baby wish could give Belgium world cup dilemma
- 12:37 PMYahoo Sports — Soccer-Belgium baby dilemma for father-to-be Doku
"Belgium winger Jérémy Doku could miss matches later in the World Cup because of the impending birth of his first child. Ahead of his team's World Cup opener against Egypt in Seattle on Monday, Doku told outlets including Belgian newspaper HLN that his wife, Shireen, is expected to give birth to his son during the knockout phase of the World Cup, specifically in early July, around the rounds of 32 and 16. The 24-year-old forward, who plays for Premier League club Manchester City, would have to travel from Seattle to England to be there in time whenever Shireen goes into labor.
"Jeremy Doku says he wants to be at the birth of his first child next month, potentially creating a World Cup dilemma for the Red Devils. The 24-year-old Manchester City winger’s wife Shireen is due to give birth in the second week of July, around the quarter-final stage of the World Cup.
"SEATTLE, June 15 (Reuters) - Belgium’s Jeremy Doku is due to become a father for the first time while the World Cup is still on, and wants to be at the birth, creating a potential dilemma for the team
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 15, 2026, 6:07 PMBelgium winger Jérémy Doku could miss World Cup knockout matches as wife awaits birth of 1st child
Belgium winger Jérémy Doku could miss matches later in the World Cup because of the impending birth of his first child. Ahead of his team's World Cup opener against Egypt in Seattle on Monday, Doku told outlets including Belgian newspaper HLN that his wife, Shireen, is expected to give birth to his son during the knockout phase of the World Cup, specifically in early July, around the rounds of 32 and 16. The 24-year-old forward, who plays for Premier League club Manchester City, would have to travel from Seattle to England to be there in time whenever Shireen goes into labor.
- Yahoo SportsJun 15, 2026, 2:26 PMDoku's baby wish could give Belgium world cup dilemma
Jeremy Doku says he wants to be at the birth of his first child next month, potentially creating a World Cup dilemma for the Red Devils. The 24-year-old Manchester City winger’s wife Shireen is due to give birth in the second week of July, around the quarter-final stage of the World Cup.
- Yahoo SportsJun 15, 2026, 12:37 PMSoccer-Belgium baby dilemma for father-to-be Doku
SEATTLE, June 15 (Reuters) - Belgium’s Jeremy Doku is due to become a father for the first time while the World Cup is still on, and wants to be at the birth, creating a potential dilemma for the team
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