Football wins for family. How did the Doku case turn into a battle of public opinion?

In a tournament of the magnitude of the World Cup, where millions of eyes are on the pitch and every match is a global event, rarely does the human story capture the attention of the competition itself. But that’s exactly what happened to Belgium and Manchester City winger Jeremy Dokut, who found himself at the center of controversy after announcing he wanted to leave his country’s national team camp if the World Cup games coincided with the birth of his first child.

What started as a personal, family-related decision quickly turned into a global debate about the limits of players’ obligations and the priority of private life in the world of modern football. While the player faced harsh criticism from some media outlets, the reaction from inside and outside the sporting community was surprisingly unified, stressing that some moments in life cannot be replaced, regardless of the importance of the tournament or the value of the match.

Jeremy Doku is expected to welcome his first child in the second week of next July, a period that could coincide with the crucial knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup if Belgium continue their successful campaign. The player did not try to hide his position, rather he spoke frankly about his desire to be with his wife at this exceptional moment.

Doku emphasized that anyone who wants to become a father for the first time does not want to miss this unique experience, while noting that he is fully aware of the obligations of representing the national team and participating in a global tournament like the World Cup. Despite the complexity of the situation, the player expressed confidence that the Belgian Football Association understands his humanitarian and family circumstances, according to reports.BBC:“.