World Cup 2026: Jeremy Docu criticized for plans to leave Belgium camp to give birth

Winger Jeremy Docu has been criticized for saying he wants to leave Belgium’s World Cup camp to stay with his wife while she gives birth to their first child.

Doku’s wife Shirin is due to give birth in the second week of July and wants to return home even though the Red Devils are at the tournament, which will then be at the quarter-final stage.

“It’s my first child, so I definitely want to be there.” The Manchester City forward, 24, told Reuters, outsider.

“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 there are many other considerations involved in football.

“I know the federation supports its players and understands their situation. We will see what we can do.”

However, Doku’s plans to leave the United States and return home drew sharp criticism from L’Equipe channel presenter Frans Pierron, who characterized a father as “totally useless” when their child was born.

“The World Cup is an incredible joy,” he said in a message posted on the Facebook page of French sports publication L’Equipe.

“There are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your shoes. It may never happen again in your life.

“You’re living a childhood dream, yet you’re walking away from everything for the birth of your child—a hideous moment, if you’ll pardon the expression, where the father is completely useless.”