Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleBelgian winger Jeremy Doku temporarily departed the World Cup to fly to London and be present for the birth of his first child, a son named Praise, with his wife Shireen on Monday. Doku received medical clearance from the team doctor, Brahim Hacene, to fly without risk and was accompanied by a colleague, with the mother and baby reported to be doing wonderfully. He is set to rejoin the Belgium squad on Tuesday evening in Seattle, expressing gratitude for the team's support and his readiness to return to represent his country. Doku faced criticism from French TV presenter France Pierron for his decision, who controversially described the birth as a “disgusting moment” where the father is “completely useless”, though Pierron later apologised. Doku, who missed Belgium's recent 1-1 draw with Iran due to illness, is expected to be available for their final Group G fixture against New Zealand in Vancouver on Friday. In fullJeremy Doku confirms return to Belgium squad after celebrating birth of childThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Norway’s Leo Østigård has followed the birth of his first child by video link and Jérémy Doku is contemplating leaving the Belgium squad to be with his wife when she gives birth

L'Equipe channel presenter France Pierron has so far been the fiercest critic of Doku’s potential move. | Football News

The birth of a child, particularly your first, is a life-changing event. Doku the parent is so much more important than Doku the footballer

Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku has said that he planning to leave the World Cup, where he is playing for Belgium, to be present at the birth of his first child

Jeremy Doku plans to leave the 2026 World Cup for his child's birth, sparking backlash and raising questions about crypto athlete endorsement strategies.

Belgium’s star winger will be a first-time father come July.

Doku, who will miss Belgium’s match against Iran due to illness, plans to return home for the birth of his first child even if Belgium are still in the tournament

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleBelgium winger Jeremy Doku plans to leave…

Belgium’s Jeremy Doku is expected to leave the World Cup for the birth of his first child

Jeremy Doku has unintentionally been at the centre of a World Cup row after L'Equipe presenter France Pierron took aim at his decision to leave the competition early to attend the…

Belgium’s Jeremy Doku also won plenty of support, including from England’s striker, over his desire to return to his wife for the arrival of their first child.

Jeremy Doku has been criticised as 'disgusting' for his decision to leave the Belgium squad to be with his wife for the birth of their first child

Jeremy Doku’s wish to attend the birth of his first child drew a rather emphatic response

Doku, who missed Belgium’s clash against Iran on Sunday due to a chest infection, recently said his wife, Shireen, is expected to give birth in the second week of July.

Jeremy Doku will return home to be with his wife when she gives birth to their first child next month, even if Belgium are still in the tournament. Good, unlike World Cups, it…

Jeremy Doku faces criticism for prioritising the birth of his first child over Belgium's World Cup campaign. | Football News

June 22 : Belgium winger Jeremy Doku made it back to London after flying from the World Cup to be with his wife, who gave birth to a boy called Praise on Monday, the Belgian…

De Belgische sterspeler Jérémy Doku heeft het Belgische kamp tijdelijk verlaten voor de geboorte van zijn eerste kind: zoon Praise. De aanvaller van Manchester City vloog met…

Jeremy Doku was told that the birth of his child was imminent shortly before Belgium’s match with Iran on Sunday

A French television presenter has been stood down from her show after making disparaging comments about Belgium winger Jeremy Doku potentially missing a World Cup match to attend…