Jeremy Doku plans to leave World Cup for birth of first child
Yahoo Sports • 3 min read • Latest: Jun 21, 2026, 11:54 AM
Last updated Jun 21, 2026
Belgium winger Jeremy Doku intends to leave the World Cup to be present for the birth of his first child. Doku, who is currently sidelined due to illness, revealed that his wife Shireen is due during the tournament's quarter-finals. Despite Belgium possibly still competing, he has made arrangements to travel home via private jet. French TV presenter France Pierron faced backlash for initially criticizing Doku's decision, later issuing an apology for her comments. This incident follows Norway’s Leo Ostigard celebrating the recent birth of his child while participating in the World Cup.
- •Doku will miss Belgium's match against Iran due to a chest infection.
- •He plans to return home for the birth even if Belgium advances.
- •Pierron criticized Doku's decision but later apologized for her comments.
- •Ostigard recently celebrated his child's birth during the tournament.
- 12:00 AMYahoo Sports — French presenter apologizes for saying Belgian player shouldn’t miss World Cup match for baby’s birth
- 7:40 PMThe Guardian Sport — L’Equipe apologises to Belgian footballer Jérémy Doku for presenter’s comments
- 6:46 PMYahoo Sports — Belgium forward Jeremy Doku celebrates the birth of his son after commentator's criticism
- 6:33 PMYahoo Sports — French TV presenter stood down over Doku World Cup comments
- 11:54 AMYahoo Sports — TV presenter apologises after criticising Jeremy Doku’s plan to leave World Cup for birth of first child
"The Belgian soccer federation congratulated Jérémy Doku on the birth of his son, Praise, on Monday, one day after a French media organization's apology following a commentator criticizing the player's intention to leave the World Cup for the birth. Doku missed the team's 0-0 draw against Iran on Sunday because of a respiratory illness, but was cleared to fly back to London so he could be with his wife. “As he had already been receiving the appropriate medical treatment for several days, he was able to fly without any medical risk in order to be with his family during this very special moment,” Belgium team doctor Brahim Hacene said in a statement.
"French media outlet distanced itself from criticism of Doku’s plan to fly back from World Cup for birth of first child The French media outlet L’Équipe has apologised to the Belgian footballer Jérémy Doku after he was criticised by one of its pundits for saying he would duck out of the World Cup to be present at the birth of his first child. News of the apology came as the Belgian football federation said Doku had made it back to London in time to be with his wife Shireen, who gave birth to a boy called Praise on Monday. Continue reading...
"A French television presenter has been stood down from her show after making disparaging comments about Belgium winger Jeremy Doku potentially missing a World Cup match to attend the birth of his child.Doku, 24, could miss a knock-out stage game if Belgium reach that stage, as his wife is due to give birth to their first child in the second week of July.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 23, 2026, 12:00 AMFrench presenter apologizes for saying Belgian player shouldn’t miss World Cup match for baby’s birth
A French television presenter is apologizing after criticizing Belgian star Jeremy Doku’s decision to leave the World Cup to be with his newborn child. Jeremy Doku, a Belgian forward, told reporters that he would leave the World Cup in order to attend the birth of his first child. France Pierron of France’s L’Equipe responded to…
- The Guardian SportJun 22, 2026, 7:40 PML’Equipe apologises to Belgian footballer Jérémy Doku for presenter’s comments
French media outlet distanced itself from criticism of Doku’s plan to fly back from World Cup for birth of first child The French media outlet L’Équipe has apologised to the Belgian footballer Jérémy Doku after he was criticised by one of its pundits for saying he would duck out of the World Cup to be present at the birth of his first child. News of the apology came as the Belgian football federation said Doku had made it back to London in time to be with his wife Shireen, who gave birth to a boy called Praise on Monday. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsJun 22, 2026, 6:46 PMBelgium forward Jeremy Doku celebrates the birth of his son after commentator's criticism
The Belgian soccer federation congratulated Jérémy Doku on the birth of his son, Praise, on Monday, one day after a French media organization's apology following a commentator criticizing the player's intention to leave the World Cup for the birth. Doku missed the team's 0-0 draw against Iran on Sunday because of a respiratory illness, but was cleared to fly back to London so he could be with his wife. “As he had already been receiving the appropriate medical treatment for several days, he was able to fly without any medical risk in order to be with his family during this very special moment,” Belgium team doctor Brahim Hacene said in a statement.
- Yahoo SportsJun 22, 2026, 6:33 PMFrench TV presenter stood down over Doku World Cup comments
A French television presenter has been stood down from her show after making disparaging comments about Belgium winger Jeremy Doku potentially missing a World Cup match to attend the birth of his child.Doku, 24, could miss a knock-out stage game if Belgium reach that stage, as his wife is due to give birth to their first child in the second week of July.
- Yahoo SportsJun 21, 2026, 11:54 AMTV presenter apologises after criticising Jeremy Doku’s plan to leave World Cup for birth of first child
Doku, who will miss Belgium’s match against Iran due to illness, plans to return home for the birth of his first child even if Belgium are still in the tournament
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