Belgium’s Doku to miss World Cup quarterfinal for birth of first child as French presenter calls father ‘useless’
Belgium winger Jérémy Doku says he will return to England for the birth of his first child even if Belgium reaches the World Cup quarterfinals; L’Équipe presenter France Pierron reacted by calling a father’s presence at childbirth ‘useless’.
Doku’s plan
Jérémy Doku, 24, told Belgian media that his wife Shireen is due in the second week of July, the same week as the World Cup quarterfinals.
The Manchester City forward confirmed he would leave the squad even if Belgium are still in the tournament, adding that the Belgian football federation supports the idea and is prepared to arrange a private jet.If you ask me what I want, my answer is that nobody wants to miss the birth of their first child.
Pierron’s on-air criticism
During Friday’s edition of L’Équipe de choc, presenter France Pierron dismissed Doku’s priority.
Pierron argued that Doku would “waste 10 hours, exhaust himself, take an emotional hit” and miss a match for something the baby “will always be there” for.You have the chance to participate in a World Cup; hundreds of footballers would kill to be in your place … and you leave all that to attend the birth of your child, which is a disgusting moment, and the father is useless, he’s just an extra.
Pushback from studio guests
Former Olympic boxing champion Brahim Asloum pushed back immediately.
Fellow commentator Yoann Riou agreed, calling the birth “the most important moment for a couple.” Asloum later stressed: “It’s the hardest, most emotional moment for your wife … the only person she wants is her man by her side. If you miss it, you can never get it back.”A baby is your entire life. A World Cup, you can win or lose, but once it’s over, it’s over.
Online reaction and precedents
The clip amassed over 13,000 comments on Instagram by Saturday morning, with journalist Clémentine Sarlat writing: “France Pierron, in 2026 we can no longer make this kind of statement. We fight every day for paternity to be valued … a woman giving birth is more vulnerable.” Former France international Layvin Kurzawa also sided with Asloum. The row echoes previous incidents: in 2019, L’Équipe faced criticism for mocking PSG’s Marquinhos when he missed a match for his child’s birth; in 2021 and 2024 Kingsley Coman and Phil Foden left national camps for births.
- Doku starts in Belgium’s 1-1 draw against Egypt
- France Pierron calls father ‘useless’ on L’Équipe de choc
- Over 13,000 Instagram comments criticise remarks; pundits and former players react
What comes next
Belgium face Iran on Sunday and New Zealand on June 26 to conclude Group H. Doku started the 1-1 draw with Egypt on Monday. If Belgium progress, the quarterfinals fall around July 9–10, exactly when Doku’s first child is due.
