Jeremy Doku set to rejoin Belgium's World Cup campaign after attending birth of son in London

A frantic dash across the Atlantic

Belgium's Jeremy Doku missed Sunday's Group G match against Iran, not through a respiratory infection that had been troubling him, but because he was already aboard a transatlantic flight to London. Hours before kick-off in Los Angeles, Doku was informed that the birth of his first child was imminent. The Belgian federation's medical team cleared him to travel, and he was accompanied by team doctor Brecht De Coninck.

Jeremy received news before yesterday's match that the birth was imminent. As he had already been receiving appropriate medical treatment for several days, he was able to fly without medical risk to be with his family during this very special moment.

The 24-year-old arrived at his wife Shireen's side in time for the birth on Monday. Their son was named Praise.

A family's gratitude

On Tuesday, both parents shared their joy on Instagram. Doku wrote that "Shireen and Praise are doing great, and my heart is full of gratitude." He called the experience "one of the greatest blessings God has ever given to me" and thanked everyone for their support, before turning his focus back to football and "representing my country on the biggest stage."

Thank you to everyone for the love, prayers and kind messages over the past few days. Shireen and Praise are doing great, and my heart is full of gratitude. Welcoming my son into the world is one of the greatest blessings God has ever given to me.

Shireen's own post was a tribute to her husband. She described him as the best birth partner she could have hoped for and added: "Nothing would have been possible without you, dad."

A broadcaster's criticism and swift apology

Doku's decision to leave the World Cup for a few days drew an unusually fierce reaction from France Pierron, a presenter on the French programme L'Équipe de Choc. She argued on social media that he was walking away from a childhood dream and dismissed childbirth as a moment where the father is "completely useless."

There are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your shoes. It might never happen again in your life. You're living out a childhood dream, yet you're going to walk away from it all to attend the birth of your child - a disgusting moment, if you'll pardon the expression, where the dad is completely useless.

The backlash was swift. Pierron subsequently apologised, and L'Équipe moved to distance itself from her remarks. The episode nonetheless reignited a broader conversation about the role of fathers during childbirth, with research cited in Belgian media showing that the presence of a trusted partner can lead to fewer medical interventions.

Back to the pitch

Doku was expected to arrive back at Belgium's base in Renton, near Seattle, on Tuesday evening and resume training on Wednesday. That timeline should make him available for the team's final Group G fixture against New Zealand in Vancouver on Friday, which kicks off at 05:00 Belgian time on Saturday.

Belgium have drawn both of their opening matches, against Egypt and Iran, leaving them needing a positive result against New Zealand to secure progression. Doku's return provides a timely option for the squad.