World Cup 2026: Why childbirth has sparked debate in men’s football

FIFA rules state that maternity leave for female footballers must be “a minimum of 14 weeks of paid leave” – ​​eight weeks of which must be post-partum.

There is no specific provision on paternity leave, leaving the players in the men’s game to stick to their responsibilities.

One club had a waiting car outside the ground for a player who was about to give birth, a manager of a club in Europe’s top league didn’t go to a game with his wife when she was about to give birth to their second child.

Instead of being in the bullpen, he watched the game on TV and relayed instructions to the coaching staff.

The manager, who is now working in the Championship, said: “I was on the bench and 10 minutes into the game she was in pain.”

“We were 2-1 up at half-time but she was going into more labour. I called the hospital and said we were going to come in, but we had to stop because we got a penalty.

“I knew we’d scored and won the game and we just went in and our baby was born two hours later.

“It’s not very common with managers because they’re usually older, but the game doesn’t stop … you need to win the next game.”

Doku certainly wouldn’t be the first player to put his child’s birthday before football.

In 2018, Fabian Delph has left England’s World Cup camp in Russia To return to England to give birth to his daughter.

David Silva, on the other hand, missed two. Manchester City It is related to the following Premature arrival of the child in 2018.

and ex Manchester United Goalkeeper Davide De Gea has been given a long break due to the Covid pandemic as partner Edurne gives birth to their daughter in 2021.

Others were not found.

Just this weekend, the Norwegian defender Leo Ostigard watched his son’s birth on FaceTime., External While at the World Cup.

Ruben Neves had a similar experience in January 2021 – he watched the birth of his third child on his phone. WolvesAfter the team bus lost 1-0 Crystal Palace.

His wife was back in Portugal while her doctor was there, but Neves’ plans to join her were thwarted by travel restrictions due to the pandemic.