Doku May Leave World Cup for Childbirth, Sparking Debate

Belgian Red Devils star Jérémy Doku may temporarily leave the 2026 FIFA World Cup to attend the birth of his first child, a decision that has ignited a fierce national debate in Belgium about fatherhood, professional duty, and the human side of elite sport. The Manchester City winger’s wife Shireen is due to give birth in early July, a period that coincides with the tournament’s knockout stages.

“No father would want to miss that,” Doku told DH Les Sports+. “But there’s football and the whole planet is watching. I know the federation is attentive to this and we’ll see what we can do.”

The Timing Challenge

The 2026 World Cup runs through July 19, with knockout matches beginning in late June and early July — precisely when Shireen Doku is expected to give birth in London. Belgium’s team base is in Seattle, approximately nine hours of flight time away. According to RTBF, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is developing a “Plan Doku,” with medical staff in contact with Shireen’s gynecologist to coordinate a potential private jet round-trip between matches.

Belgium opened their Group G campaign with a 1-1 draw against Egypt on June 15. They still face Iran and New Zealand in the group stage. Doku, 24, has become Belgium’s primary attacking threat in the post-Eden Hazard era and is widely regarded as the team’s most explosive offensive weapon.

A Nation Divided

The story has transcended sports pages to become a broader societal conversation, with Belgian media outlets taking sharply different positions.

La Dernière Heure took a supportive stance in its editorial: “If Jérémy Doku has to rush to the maternity ward in the middle of the World Cup, there are only two things to say to him. Congratulations. And have a good flight.” The paper added that asking a man to miss his child’s first cry for a match forgets that “behind every player, however well-paid, there is a man.”

Flemish daily De Morgen noted that young athletes’ mindsets have evolved — but the attitudes of Flemish sports commentators have not kept pace at the same speed.

However, traditionalist voices have pushed back. Peter Janssens, Doku’s former youth coach, told VRT: “When you leave for a World Cup, it’s a choice. It may sound a bit harsh, but once you’re there, you choose to play. The baby will still be there afterwards.” Former Red Devil Gert Verheyen sparked further controversy by questioning, “What can a man do during a childbirth?”

The Tactical Cost

RTBF consultant Fred Waseige acknowledged the complexity of the situation. “Humanly, it’s completely understandable to want to be with your wife for the birth of your first child. It’s an event in his life,” he said. “But from a football perspective, he’s become one of those guys who can decide a match on his own. He traumatizes opponents. What he does, no one else in the squad can do.”

RTBF journalist Vincent Langendries confirmed that the federation is exploring all options. “If it’s his decision, the Belgian Union will support him. Psychologically, he would take it very badly if he had to stay when he doesn’t want to,” Langendries reported. “It could happen around the round of 16 or quarter-finals if we’re still in the tournament. It would need to fall between two matches.”

A Broader Trend

Doku is not alone in facing this dilemma. Defender Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge, 33) is also expecting a child with his partner during the tournament, meaning Belgium could potentially lose two players to paternity leave at a critical juncture.

The situation has prompted RMC Sport to report that Doku could miss a match by early July, while Belgian media continues to debate whether the World Cup — described by Het Laatste Nieuws as “the most important of the unimportant things” — should take precedence over family.

What’s Next

The RBFA has not yet made an official public statement, with the federation reportedly focusing attention on Belgium’s opening match before addressing the matter. A formal communication is expected in the coming days. The outcome — whether Doku stays, leaves temporarily via private jet, or participates remotely — will be closely watched and may set a precedent for paternity leave policies during major international football tournaments.

For now, Belgium and its fans wait. As La Dernière Heure concluded: the only appropriate response is congratulations — and a safe flight.