Jeremy Doku is back with Belgium’s World Cup squad in Seattle after stepping away from the tournament to welcome his first child into the world. The 23-year-old Manchester City winger traveled to London for the birth of his son, named Praise, missing Belgium’s 0-0 draw with Iran on June 22.
The Belgian Football Association confirmed Doku’s return to the team on June 23, giving him time to settle back in ahead of Belgium’s next group stage match against New Zealand on June 26. What should have been a straightforward feel-good story, though, managed to become something much more complicated thanks to a French TV presenter with a very specific opinion about fatherhood.
A winger, a newborn, and a flight to London
Doku departed Belgium’s World Cup camp around June 21 to be with his wife in London for the birth. The decision was made well in advance, and the Belgian FA publicly backed their player without hesitation.
“No father would want to miss that.”
