Doku Criticized Over World Cup Paternity Decision

Belgium winger Jeremy Doku faces criticism for prioritizing the birth of his first child over the World Cup quarter-finals.

Belgium winger Jeremy Doku has sparked controversy by announcing his intention to leave the national team during the World Cup in order to attend the birth of his first child. The Manchester City player revealed that his wife, Shireen, is expected to give birth in the second week of July, which coincides with the quarter-final stage of the World Cup.

“It’s my first child, so I definitely want to be there,” Doku stated earlier this week. He emphasized the importance of the moment, expressing his desire to support his wife while also recognizing the demands of his football career. “If you ask me what I want, my answer is that nobody wants to miss the birth of their first child. But I also know that football involves many other considerations. I know the federation supports its players and understands their situations. We’ll see what we can do,” he added.

These statements followed criticism from media personalities, most notably France Pierron of L’Equipe, who labeled Doku’s decision as a “disgusting moment” to leave the squad. Pierron argued that the father has little role during the birthing process and suggested that players should prioritize the World Cup over personal matters. “You are not going to cut an umbilical cord; you can’t miss a World Cup,” she commented.

In response, Doku received support from former boxer Brahim Asloum, who countered Pierron’s remarks by stating, “A baby is your entire life. A World Cup is over when it is over.” Pierron remained firm in her views, saying Doku would compromise his performance by exhausting himself with the travel and emotional toll involved, insisting that the baby will always be there once the tournament concludes.

Doku, 24, recently played a key role in Belgium’s first World Cup match against Egypt, which ended in a 1-1 draw. His international teammate Brandon Mechele is also facing a similar dilemma, with his wife’s due date later in July.

This isn’t a unique situation in sports. Notably, Kingsley Coman left the French camp for both the delayed European Championship in 2021 and its next edition shortly after to attend the births of his children. Likewise, Phil Foden departed the England squad at Euro 2024 for his third child’s birth. Last summer, Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch missed the Community Shield match against Crystal Palace for the same reason.

In other sports, similar situations arise. Recently, Shohei Ohtani was away from the Los Angeles Dodgers to be present for the birth of his second child, pausing his duties on the field to support his family.

The blend of professional commitments and personal milestones creates a complex landscape for athletes, as they seek to balance national pride and family obligations amidst the demands of high-level competition.